Cornell Classroom Turns Back Time with Typewriters

German language instructor brings manual typewriters to class, forcing students to rethink writing process.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:50am

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A grid of stylized, brightly colored silkscreen images of a vintage manual typewriter, rendered in a high-contrast pop art style that transforms the everyday object into a modern, visually striking conceptual illustration.A retro typewriter reborn as a bold, colorful pop art statement, reflecting the analog-meets-digital lessons of Cornell's typewriter classroom experiment.Ithaca Today

At Cornell University, German language instructor Grit Matthias Phelps has introduced manual typewriters into her classroom, requiring students to complete assignments without the aid of digital tools like spell-checkers, translation software, and delete keys. Phelps hopes the exercise will teach students valuable lessons about the writing process and interpersonal communication before the digital era.

Why it matters

As generative AI becomes more advanced, some educators are concerned that students are relying too heavily on technology to complete assignments rather than developing essential writing and critical thinking skills. Phelps' typewriter exercise aims to combat this trend and force students to engage more deeply with the material.

The details

Phelps started the typewriter assignment in spring 2023 after becoming frustrated that students were using AI and online translation platforms to produce grammatically perfect work without truly understanding the content. The exercise requires students to manually feed paper, strike keys with the proper force, and use the carriage return, forcing them to slow down and think more intentionally about their writing. Without the ability to easily correct mistakes, students must also collaborate more with classmates.

  • Phelps introduced the typewriter assignment in spring 2023.
  • The exercise takes place once each semester in Phelps' Intro to German class.

The players

Grit Matthias Phelps

A German language instructor at Cornell University who has implemented a typewriter assignment in her classroom to combat reliance on AI and digital tools.

Catherine Mong

A 19-year-old freshman in Phelps' Intro to German class who was initially confused by the typewriter but came to appreciate the lessons it taught.

Ratchaphon Lertdamrongwong

A sophomore student in Phelps' class who found that using the typewriter forced him to think more intentionally about his writing and collaborate more with classmates.

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What they’re saying

“What's the point of me reading it if it's already correct anyway, and you didn't write it yourself? Could you produce it without your computer?”

— Grit Matthias Phelps, German language instructor

“I was so confused. ... I'd seen typewriters in movies, but they don't tell you how a typewriter works. I didn't know there was a whole science to using a typewriter.”

— Catherine Mong, Freshman student

“The difference with typing on a typewriter is not just how you interact with the typewriter, but how you interact with the world around you.”

— Ratchaphon Lertdamrongwong, Sophomore student

What’s next

Phelps plans to continue the typewriter assignment in her Intro to German class each semester, with the goal of helping students develop essential writing and critical thinking skills in the face of increasing reliance on AI and digital tools.

The takeaway

Phelps' typewriter exercise at Cornell highlights a growing concern among educators about the overuse of AI and technology in the classroom, and the importance of ensuring students develop fundamental writing and communication skills. The exercise forces students to slow down, think more intentionally, and collaborate with their peers - lessons that may be increasingly valuable in the digital age.