Grit Matthias Phelps, a German language instructor at Cornell University, has introduced typewriters to combat AI-generated assignments. The analog exercise began in spring 2023 when Phelps grew frustrated with students using generative AI and online translation tools to produce perfect but inauthentic work. Her syllabus now includes what she calls an "analog" assignment, where students disconnect from technology and engage with writing in a fundamentally different way.

Students arrive to find manual typewriters at their desks, some with German and others with QWERTY keyboards. Phelps demonstrates the mechanics: feeding paper manually, striking keys with proper force, and understanding the dinging bell that signals the end of a line. The exercise proves challenging for the smartphone generation, with many students unfamiliar with basic typewriter functions. Phelps brings her children to class as "tech support" to ensure phones stay away during the assignment.

The typewriter experience forces students to slow down and think more intentionally about their writing. Without delete keys or instant access to information, students like computer science major Ratchaphon Lertdamrongwong find themselves socializing more in class and wrestling with problems independently. The physical limitations of the machines - weak pinkies, messy pages, and the inability to correct mistakes easily - create a more authentic writing experience that Phelps believes is essential for genuine learning.