AI and the future of writing in Australian classrooms 

Deakin School of Information Technology PhD researcher Dan Zhang is exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can help teachers provide better feedback and students build stronger writing skills. Her project is part of the Australian Government’s Next Generation Graduate Program, which brings together Deakin University, Kinetic Education and the CSIRO.

AI is changing how we live, work and learn. In education, it’s creating new opportunities to make learning more personalised, efficient and inclusive. Dan's research, on artificial intelligence in education, explores how.

Large Language Models (LLMs) can improve the way teachers assess and respond to students’ writing. 'My research explores how Large Language Models, like ChatGPT, can provide high-quality feedback on primary and secondary school students’ writing,' Dan explains.

'The goal is to assist teachers and tutors by giving students personalised, timely feedback to improve their skills.'

This collaborative project connects academic research, industry innovation, and national education leadership to ensure emerging technologies are developed with purpose and practicality.

Dan’s research doesn’t just live in algorithms and datasets; it’s grounded in real classrooms and student experiences. 'I get to read real students’ writing – sometimes funny, sometimes heartfelt – and then see how AI can give meaningful feedback on it,' she says.

'I compare AI-generated feedback with feedback from experienced tutors.'

This process of reading, analysing and comparing feedback allows her to explore one of the most enduring challenges in education: how to help students express themselves clearly and confidently in writing. By looking closely at how AI-generated feedback aligns or differs from human feedback, Dan’s research contributes to an understanding of how technology can complement the expertise of teachers.

The goal is not to replace teachers’ judgment, but to augment their capacity, giving them tools that make the feedback process faster, more consistent, and more responsive to individual student needs.

Dan’s journey into research began with curiosity and a passion for learning. 'For me, interest is the best teacher,' she says.

As AI tools become more embedded in schools and universities, questions about equity, accuracy and authenticity grow more urgent. Dan’s research sits at the intersection of technology and pedagogy, and where innovation can align with ethical practice.

Dan’s work aims to make a tangible difference for both teachers and students. 'I hope my research can genuinely help teachers by reducing their repetitive workload and giving them more time to focus on what humans do best – mentoring, inspiring and supporting students,' she explains. 'At the same time, I want students to receive feedback that builds their skills and confidence in the long term.'

The potential impact is significant. Writing is one of the most complex skills to teach and assess, often requiring detailed, individualised comments that take time to produce. By automating parts of that process, such as identifying common grammar or structural issues, AI could help educators focus on higher-order thinking and creativity. Through a research partnership with Kinetic Education, a global online tutoring platform, and CSIRO, Australia’s leading scientific agency, Dan’s research is designed with real-world application in mind.

'There’s a clear pathway for these ideas to move from research into practical tools used in schools. That’s what makes this project so exciting – it’s not just theoretical. It has the potential to make a real impact in classrooms.'

Dan’s experience at Deakin has been shaped by a strong network of support. Her supervisory team of Dr Thuong Hoang, Dr Ye Zhu and Dr Rui Wang, has provided both technical guidance and research mentorship.

'I first learned about this project while working as a research assistant – Ye Zhu recommended it to me, and it turned out to be a perfect fit,' she recalls. 'Thuong has experience in AI in education, while Ye is an expert in AI. They both give me valuable support and guidance on my research direction and technical work.'

Beyond her supervisors, Dan has benefited from insights from educators at Kinetic Education and researchers at CSIRO, helping to ensure her work addresses broader educational priorities.

Dan sees a future where AI is seamlessly integrated into education not as a shortcut, but as a scaffold for meaningful learning.

'I’d like to continue working at the intersection of AI and education, whether in academia, industry or a collaborative role,' she says. 'My aim is to keep improving AI tools for teachers and students and expand this research into other skills and subjects.'

Dan’s work is part of a growing movement to ensure that technology in education remains human-centred. While AI can generate feedback in seconds, the empathy, understanding and encouragement that teachers provide are irreplaceable. Her research shows that when used thoughtfully, AI can help educators reach more students and help students see their own progress in new ways.