A college instructor is requiring students to submit written assignments on typewriters to prevent AI-generated submissions. The move addresses growing concerns about academic integrity as AI writing tools become increasingly sophisticated.
The instructor implemented the typewriter requirement after noticing a surge in AI-written student work. Typewriters eliminate digital submission pathways, making it harder for students to use AI tools like ChatGPT while completing assignments.
The strategy also serves an educational purpose beyond plagiarism prevention. Students lose access to spell-check, grammar correction, and revision tools, forcing them to plan writing more carefully and engage deeper with their work.
The approach reflects broader institutional struggles with AI in education. Colleges face pressure to maintain academic standards while students increasingly turn to generative AI for help. Some schools have updated plagiarism policies, while others explore detection software with mixed results.
Typewriters are a low-tech solution gaining traction at certain institutions. The method limits AI exploitation without requiring expensive monitoring software, though it only works for specific assignment types and doesn't address larger questions about AI's role in learning.
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