AI was eroding trust in my classroom — so I got rid of typed papers and bought my students notebooks instead

In response to the growing trust issues caused by AI in the classroom, Ayşe Baltacıoğlu-Brammer, an assistant professor at New York University, has implemented an innovative strategy: she has replaced typed assignments with handwritten journaling. At the beginning of this semester, she provided each of her students with $1 notebooks from Amazon to facilitate this transition. For years, Baltacıoğlu-Brammer has maintained a no-tech policy in her classroom to combat distractions from laptops and tablets. She noted that students were often sidetracked by notifications and messages, which detracted from their engagement. By banning electronic devices, she observed a significant improvement in students' focus and participation, leading to overwhelmingly positive feedback in course evaluations. However, with the rising prevalence of AI, the professor began to face a new challenge: anxiety over whether students were using AI tools to complete their assignments. To address this, she turned to a colleague's successful practice of incorporating notebooks in class. This change not only alleviated her concerns about AI usage but also fostered a more authentic learning environment. Students are now encouraged to think critically and express themselves through handwritten work, which has led to more genuine insights. The response to this new approach has been encouraging, with students producing authentic writing filled with genuine thought processes, as evidenced by their scribbles and edits. While the transition has added approximately two hours to her weekly workload, Baltacıoğlu-Brammer finds the experience far more enjoyable and rewarding, even considering potential creative projects like an art contest for the notebooks. Despite the challenges posed by generative AI, Baltacıoğlu-Brammer acknowledges its role in education, particularly for students who may need assistance with their writing. She emphasizes that while AI can serve as a helpful tool, it should not replace the fundamental learning process. As a historian who often deciphers historical texts, she values the skill of writing by hand and believes it is essential for students to practice this craft. In a world where technology is rapidly evolving, Baltacıoğlu-Brammer's approach serves as a reminder of the importance of trust and authenticity in education, and the potential for technology to both disrupt and enhance the learning experience.