Using MagicSchool AI to Deliver Targeted Feedback on Writing

Set-ups/Technology required

Devices: Teachers and students can access MagicSchool with a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop, as long as they have a stable internet connection.

Step 1: Create the Account on MagicSchool (Image 1)

1. Open your web browser.
2. Go to MagicSchool (https://www.magicschool.ai/).
3. Click ‘Sign up free’ and register an account using your email address.
4. Sign in with your account.

Step 2: Create a Room (Image 2)

1. Click ‘MagicStudent’ in the left column.
2. Select ‘Rooms’ from the dropdown menu.
3. Click ‘Create Room’ in the top right-hand corner.

Step 3: Select the Writing Feedback AI Tool (Image 3)

Type ‘Writing Feedback’ in the search bar, and click the show-up button to open the AI tool settings.

Step 4: Edit the Details for the Writing Feedback AI Tool (Image 4)

1. Edit the details based on the task and the focus of the writing feedback you want the AI to generate (please refer to the provided documents as an example).
2. After editing the details, click ‘Save to room’.
3. Create a name for the room, then click ‘Save room’

Step 5: Test the AI Tool (Images 5 and 6)

1. On the main Room page, click ‘Preview as Student’ in the top right-hand corner (Image 5).
2. Test the AI tool with a sample text (Image 6) as if you were a student.
   Important Note: Never upload real student work to the AI tool.

Procedure

It offers a web-based version requiring no installation, desktop software for Windows and macOS, and mobile apps for iOS and Android. The tool is accessible in Mainland China.

Step 1: Invite Students to the Room (Images 7 and 8)

1. Make sure the room is active. Click ‘Invite students’ in the top right-hand corner (Image 7).
2. Click ‘Join URL’.
3. Share the hyperlink with students.
4. Students join the room by inputting their names and clicking ‘Join room’(Image 8).
5. On the main Room page, check and filter students’ status by clicking the “Active” button to the right of each student’s name (Image 7).

Step 2: Students’ Use of AI Tools to Get Feedback on Their Writing (Images 9 and 10)

1. Ask students to copy and paste their homework writing into the chat box.
2. The AI tool provides targeted feedback on linguistic and stylistic accuracy in the first two parts of the feedback (Image 9).
3. Students review the feedback. If students do not fully understand the feedback provided by the AI tool, encourage them to engage in further dialogue with it (Image 10) by:

• • • Asking the AI to clarify specific feedback. Example prompt: “You said [insert feedback given]. Can you explain why you think that?”
    • Verifying their understanding of the feedback. Example prompts: “To make sure I understand, you’re saying I should [insert a summary of the feedback given]? Is that correct?” or (after making the changes) “[insert the change you’ve made]. If I make this change, will it resolve the clarity issue you mentioned?”

Step 3: Ask Students to Make Corrections to the Sentences Selected by AI

1. After reviewing and understanding the feedback, students should correct the five sentences from their writing that were selected.
2. Encourage students to carefully study the feedback again if they continue to make mistakes

Caveats and Alternatives

1. Teachers can check student understanding of the feedback by having them submit a revised version of their writing (a paragraph in this example). For instance, teachers can ask students to revise their original writing based on the AI feedback and use the “Track Changes” function in Microsoft Word to document their edits. This approach allows teachers to:

• Review the specific changes students have made.
• Assess whether students have accurately understood and applied the feedback from the AI.

If, upon reviewing the tracked changes, teachers notice recurring misunderstandings or errors among students, they can address these by offering general feedback during the next writing lesson and clarifying common misconceptions to improve students’ comprehension and writing skills.

2. Teachers could provide example prompts for students when introducing this tool in Year 1 EAP’s first semester, as students may lack sufficient AI literacy to effectively use MagicSchool. I recommend using the prompts outlined in Procedure Step 2 above to help with the feedback process.

3.For lower-level students with limited English skills, teachers can ask them to use a familiar AI tool (e.g. Doubao) to translate and understand feedback provided.

Additional Information

The details entered into the AI tool are in the attached document below.