College instructor turns to typewriters to curb AI-written work (sentinelcolorado.com)

Article summary

A college instructor at Cornell University is using typewriters to help students learn German and prevent them from using AI to write their assignments. The instructor, Grit Matthias Phelps, brings out typewriters once a semester for students to complete a writing assignment without the aid of technology. This approach aims to teach students the value of writing and thinking without relying on digital tools. By using typewriters, students are forced to think more intentionally about their writing and interact with their classmates in a more meaningful way.

Main themes

• Typewriters in education
• Preventing AI-assisted cheating
• Analog learning methods
• Student interaction and collaboration
• Teaching writing and critical thinking

What commenters say

• Using typewriters in the classroom can help students develop better writing and critical thinking skills by forcing them to think more intentionally about their work.
• Proctored, in-person exams are a reliable way to assess a student's mastery of key fundamentals and ability to think on their feet.
• Exams can be an artificial and high-stakes way to evaluate students, and may not accurately reflect their abilities or knowledge in real-world situations.
• The use of typewriters and other analog methods can help prepare students for high-pressure situations, such as job interviews, where they may need to think quickly and make decisions without relying on technology.
• Some argue that exams are not an effective way to evaluate students, as they do not allow for the use of external resources or collaboration, which are common in real-world problem-solving scenarios.
• Others believe that exams are a necessary part of the educational process, as they provide a way to assess a student's understanding of key concepts and their ability to apply them in a practical way.
• The use of typewriters and other analog methods can also help to promote student interaction and collaboration, as students are forced to work together and communicate more effectively in order to complete assignments.
• There is a concern that relying too heavily on exams and other high-stakes evaluations can create undue stress and pressure on students, and may not be an effective way to promote deep learning and understanding.