Scribble revolutionizes student research and writing skills

In a recent government meeting, educators and advocates gathered to discuss the importance of Scribble, an educational platform designed to enhance research and writing skills among students. Victor Karkar, co-founder and CEO of Scribble, highlighted the platform's role in addressing the significant challenges students face in developing effective research skills, particularly as over half of secondary students nationwide struggle with college-level writing.

Scribble, now in its fifth year of funding, is seeking continued financial support of $1.4 million in the upcoming general session. Karkar emphasized that the platform consolidates various research and writing tasks—such as curating sources, annotating evidence, and drafting papers—into a single application, thereby simplifying the process for both students and teachers. This integration allows for real-time monitoring of student progress and facilitates timely feedback, which is crucial in today's educational landscape that increasingly values media and information literacy.

Several educators shared their positive experiences with Scribble. Kelly Hawkinson, a social studies teacher, noted that the platform has transformed her senior seminar class, enabling her to track students' research and writing processes closely. She expressed confidence that Scribble mitigates concerns about AI plagiarism, as it allows teachers to monitor students' work throughout the writing process rather than just evaluating the final product.

Joy Peterson, a library coordinator, echoed these sentiments, stating that Scribble has been instrumental in teaching students how to engage with and synthesize information effectively. She urged for long-term funding to ensure the platform remains available for future generations of students.

Thomas Boynton, a library teacher, highlighted Scribble's versatility, noting that it is used across various subjects and has significantly improved students' research capabilities. He emphasized the platform's user-friendly nature and its ability to cater to diverse learning needs.

The discussion also touched on the challenges posed by AI tools like ChatGPT, with Karkar explaining that Scribble's focus on the writing process helps combat issues of AI plagiarism. By requiring students to submit their entire research portfolio alongside their final papers, teachers can better assess the authenticity of the work.

As the meeting concluded, the collective call for continued funding underscored the belief that Scribble is not just a tool for academic success but a vital resource for fostering critical thinking and information literacy among Utah's students.