A Cornell instructor is using manual typewriters to force students out of AI autopilot, which sounds theatrical until you remember the actual problem she is trying to solve.
In a world where AI tools like ChatGPT are changing how students approach assignments, a Cornell instructor is taking a step back—literally. Grit Matthias Phelps is using manual typewriters in her German class to counter AI autopilot.
The Typewriter Experiment
The assignment removes screens, online dictionaries, spellcheckers, and delete keys. Students are forced to slow down, think more carefully, and engage more deeply with the material. The experience is described as slower, more intentional, and less distracted than laptop work.
A Broader Trend
This is not just a quirky classroom experiment. It’s part of a broader trend toward pen-and-paper and oral testing to reduce AI-assisted cheating. The goal is not to punish technology but to ensure that students are learning, not just regurgitating.
A Necessary Countermeasure
Sometimes the countermeasure to modern AI drift is a machine that physically dings when you hit the margin. The typewriter is not just a tool—it’s a reminder that learning requires effort, not just access to a model.
Final Thoughts
Cornell’s approach is a reminder that the real challenge with AI in education is not the technology itself, but how we use it. The typewriter is a symbol of that challenge—and a surprisingly effective one.
*Comic Relief: When the AI is too smart, sometimes you need to go back to the typewriter.*