Frequently Asked Questions

For Teachers

What is WordPath and how does it help my students with the writing process?

WordPath is a digital writing platform with an AI writing coach named Gwen. It helps students by breaking down writing assignments into manageable steps using customizable templates (e.g., topic sentence, supporting details). Gwen provides instant, guiding feedback on each part of their outline and draft, helping them improve as they write and promoting authentic writing.

Can I customize writing templates and assignments for my specific curriculum needs?

Yes, WordPath has a template editor/builder that allows teachers or curriculum designers to create new templates, modify existing ones, or design custom assignments (e.g., essays, historical papers, lab reports, quizzes) to fit specific lesson objectives and writing structures (like CER, TBEAR, or short story formats).

How does the AI assistant, Gwen, provide feedback to students?

Gwen offers targeted feedback at each step of the outlining and drafting process. She comments on the strength, accuracy, clarity, relevance, and specificity of what the student writes. During drafting, students can ask Gwen "What do you think?" for general feedback or "Write something for me" for suggestions or starter phrases if they are stuck. The feedback is designed to be guiding, encouraging, and to prompt critical thinking rather than writing for the student.

How can I track my students' progress and their interaction with the AI?

Yes, WordPath offers several features for this. The "Replay & Analysis" feature provides a keystroke-by-keystroke replay of the student's work, showing how they constructed their outline and draft, when they received AI feedback, and if they used AI-generated starting phrases. It also shows statistics on external copy-pasting, writing duration, editing, and typing speed. You can track student and classroom progress over time.

How does WordPath address concerns about plagiarism and students using AI to write their entire essay?

WordPath tracks external copy-paste attempts. The "write something for me" feature is designed to provide sentence starters to help students get unstuck, not to write the whole essay. The replay feature allows teachers to see this interaction. More advanced features like fingerprinting and AI cheat detection (based on keystroke timing, student lexicon, and comparative writing analysis) are on our roadmap.

Is WordPath compatible with our existing Learning Management Systems (LMS)?

Yes, WordPath is designed to integrate with most Learning Management Systems. Integration with platforms like Canvas and Schoology is on the roadmap.

For Students

How does WordPath and its AI assistant, Gwen, help me when I'm writing an assignment?

WordPath helps you organize your thoughts and write clearly. Gwen, the AI penguin assistant, guides you through each step of the writing process, from filling out your outline to drafting your essay. She'll give you feedback on things like whether your topic sentence is strong, if your details are relevant, or if something is unclear or off-topic. When you're drafting, you can ask her "What do you think?" for feedback or for help getting started if you're stuck.

Can Gwen AI just write my essay for me?

No, Gwen is there to help you write better and develop your own ideas. She can give you a few words or a short phrase to get started if you ask, but she won't write the whole assignment for you.

What if I get stuck and don't know what to write next?

You can ask Gwen to "write something for me." She might give you a short phrase or an idea to help you continue with your own thoughts and get your writing flowing again.

Do I have to be good at writing to use WordPath?

No! WordPath is designed to help you learn and improve. It shows you how to plan and structure your writing, even if you're just getting started or find writing challenging.

Is WordPath boring like regular homework?

WordPath tries to make writing more engaging! It uses colorful emojis, helpful hints, and a friendly design that can make the writing process feel more interactive and less like typical homework.

For Parents

How does WordPath help my child become a better writer?

WordPath offers a supportive and engaging environment for writing. It breaks down complex tasks into smaller, manageable parts using templates and visual prompts. The AI assistant, Gwen, provides immediate, encouraging feedback, which can help build confidence, reduce the feeling of being "stuck," and improve skills in brainstorming, structuring writing, grammar, and vocabulary.

Is my child's data safe and private? Will their writing be used to train AI models?

WordPath states they use OpenAI's models (like GPT-4) but do not feed student data back to train those underlying public models; their focus is on sophisticated prompting of existing AI. The platform is designed with student privacy and security in mind, minimizing the use of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and aiming to comply with relevant data privacy regulations.

Will WordPath just write the essay for my child?

No, the AI (Gwen) is designed to provide guidance, feedback, and sentence starters to help students get unstuck, not to write the entire essay for them. The goal is to support and develop the student's own writing process and critical thinking. The tool also tracks if text is copied from external sources, and teachers/tutors can use a replay feature to see how the work was created.

Is WordPath a game or an educational tool?

WordPath is an educational platform designed with learning outcomes in mind. It incorporates playful and engaging elements (like emojis and animations) to keep children motivated and make writing feel more accessible, but its core purpose is educational.

For School Administrators

How can WordPath benefit our school or district and integrate with our curriculum?

WordPath can improve student writing skills, reduce teacher workload by providing AI-assisted feedback, and offer valuable insights into student progress. Its template system is designed to be customizable to align with various curricular structures and can complement existing writing curricula by reinforcing foundational skills.

What are the potential costs associated with implementing WordPath?

WordPath indicated that because they leverage standard AI technology (like GPT-4o mini) with sophisticated prompting, the cost per student is expected to be minimal and likely to decrease as AI technology becomes more affordable. You should contact WordPath directly for specific pricing details.

How does WordPath address student data privacy and security?

WordPath prioritizes security and privacy. The system is designed to minimize the use of personal data, for instance, by avoiding the storage of last names or full profiles and using anonymous visuals like emojis to differentiate users where appropriate. They aim to comply with relevant data privacy regulations.

Is WordPath easy to implement school-wide and scalable for a large district?

Yes, WordPath is designed to be user-friendly, scalable, and to integrate with most existing Learning Management Systems (LMS). Training and support are typically provided to ensure a smooth implementation.

For Tutors

How can WordPath help me when tutoring a student in writing?

WordPath provides a structured approach to writing through templates and offers immediate AI feedback from Gwen, which can help students identify areas for improvement in real-time. It serves as an excellent tool for guiding tutees, as the AI coach provides suggestions and questions to help them develop ideas and improve skills.

Can I track a tutee's writing process to identify specific areas where they need more support?

Yes, the keystroke-by-keystroke replay feature ("Replay & Analysis") shows exactly how the student constructed their outline and draft, and how they responded to AI feedback. Gwen's Analysis also provides scores on aspects like grammar, detail, and argument, allowing you to offer tailored feedback.

Does WordPath replace one-on-one tutoring?

No, WordPath is designed to supplement tutoring, not replace it. It acts as an additional support system, giving tutees guidance and a chance to practice independently.

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