College instructor turns to typewriters to curb AI-written work
A Cornell instructor has found a surprisingly low-tech solution to the high-tech problem of AI-generated student work, making her German language students type assignments on manual typewriters. This analog method forces a return to focused thinking, curbs digital distractions, and fosters unexpected collaboration and an appreciation for the raw writing process. The story highlights a clever, counter-intuitive approach to education in the age of AI, resonating with those seeking novel ways to engage students and maintain academic integrity.
The Lowdown
In a novel response to the proliferation of AI-generated content in academia, a Cornell University German instructor has introduced manual typewriters into her classroom. Frustrated by grammatically perfect but inauthentic student work, Professor Grit Matthias Phelps sourced dozens of vintage typewriters to provide students with an "analog" writing experience, devoid of modern digital aids.
Key aspects of this unique educational experiment include:
- Professor Phelps initiated the typewriter assignments in Spring 2023 to combat the use of generative AI and online translation tools by students.
- Students, initially confused by the unfamiliar machines, quickly discovered the non-intuitive nature of manual typewriters, learning to feed paper, strike keys with force, and manually return the carriage.
- The absence of screens, notifications, spellcheck, and delete keys compelled students to slow down, think more intentionally about their writing, and engage with the task without digital distractions.
- Students reported increased interaction with classmates, asking for help and socializing more, a stark contrast to typical laptop-centric classroom behavior.
- The exercise also taught students the value of imperfection and the process of making mistakes, as errors couldn't be easily erased, leading to a more visceral understanding of writing.
- Many students, including one who embraced a messy page with pencil marks and 'X'ed out errors, found the challenge both fun and enlightening, developing a new appreciation for the physical act of creation.
This innovative approach not only serves as a clever deterrent to AI plagiarism but also offers students profound "life lessons" about focus, critical thinking, and human interaction, demonstrating the unexpected benefits of stepping away from digital dependency.