Why schools are turning to this tool for writing success | The Educator K/12

This article features an in-depth interview with Dr Ian Hunter, founder of Writer's Toolbox, discussing AI-powered solutions to Australia's writing crisis.

With one-third of Year 9 students now writing at primary school level, education experts point to a "30-year policy failure" driven by standardised testing culture that prioritizes checklists over creativity. Dr Hunter's AI-powered program takes a holistic approach, focusing on emotional intelligence and cognitive development rather than just grammar and structure. The system provides targeted feedback on students' strengths while addressing specific areas for improvement.

• The Composition Skills Index (CSI) diagnostic test offers comprehensive writing assessment from Year 2 to Year 12, testing deeper skills like sentence-style automaticity and idea development
• Writer's Toolbox incorporates neuroscience-based design principles and supports students with special needs through personalized learning experiences
• The program aims to build teacher confidence in writing instruction while reducing marking workload through real-time feedback
• Cross-curricular benefits include improved critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills across all subject areas