- Apply AI-proof / technology-free teaching methods to respond to AI
What I did in the course and why
For my 2 Credit writing course History 121 Pan-Africanism: Global Story of an Idea I have a carefully scaffolded final essay assignment requiring discussion of essay topic, writing an outline, sending a first draft for commentary, submitting a final draft. This year I added a final step making the students write their final essay in class by hand on paper during the allotted exam time.
I also did multiple in class activities such as supplying a text in which all indentation marks are absent, and students must identify and separate the individual paragraphs, and explain why they made the indentation marks where they made them. This is in order for students to better understand how paragraphs are structured.
Example:
Outcomes and observations
Writing the essay in person precludes use of all AI–including spell check and grammar check–requiring use of dormant intellectual skills. Going through multiple outlines, drafts, and then handwritten improved memory and absorption of course material.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Working without AI can be labor intensive.