A high school English teacher in Texas has made headlines for banning AI from her classroom, opting instead for a handwritten-only approach. Chanea Bond, who teaches at Southwest High School in the Fort Worth Independent School District, believes this method helps her students develop deeper reading and writing skills.
The Handwritten-Only Policy
Bond’s classroom is a haven for handwritten work, with students spending the first few minutes of each class journaling in notebooks. Assignments are also completed by hand, with students required to submit physical copies of their work. This approach, Bond argues, helps students develop a stronger connection to the material they’re learning.
Texas teacher ditches AI for handwritten approach, citing benefits for student engagement & critical thinking skills.
Benefits of the Approach
By focusing on handwritten work, Bond believes her students are better able to engage with the material and develop their critical thinking skills. This approach also helps to build their confidence in writing and encourages them to think more deeply about the topics they’re studying.
I know that when my students leave my class that they know how to think and they know how to write.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Student Response
Students in Bond’s class have responded positively to the handwritten-only approach, with many reporting that it helps them to focus and retain information more effectively. Some have even noted that the approach has helped them to develop a greater appreciation for the value of hard work and perseverance.
Key takeaways
- Handwritten-only policy: Bond's classroom approach focuses on handwritten work to develop deeper reading and writing skills.Benefits for students: The approach helps students engage with material, develop critical thinking skills, and build confidence in writing.Student response: Students have responded positively, reporting improved focus and retention of information.
Implications for Education
Bond’s approach raises important questions about the role of technology in education and the potential benefits of a more analog approach. As schools and educators continue to grapple with the challenges of integrating AI into the classroom, Bond’s experiment offers a compelling alternative perspective.
As educators and policymakers consider the role of AI in education, Bond’s experiment offers a compelling reminder of the importance of balancing technology with traditional teaching methods. By embracing a more analog approach, we may uncover new ways to foster deeper learning and more meaningful connections with the material we’re teaching.
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References
- NPR: To keep AI out of her classroom, this high school English teacher went analog
