tech
Bring Back the Blue-Book Exam
The humble booklet is more than just a last redoubt against cheating. Staring down its empty pages, students discover what they’re capable of as writers and thinkers.
TL;DR
- The prevalence of AI has led to a significant increase in academic dishonesty, prompting universities to re-evaluate assessment methods.
- In-person, handwritten exams like those traditionally administered in blue books are being reintroduced as a more effective way to prevent cheating.
- The blue book encourages experimentation and critical thinking, promoting skills that are essential for a liberal-arts education.
- The history of the blue book is somewhat obscure, with origins possibly dating back to the 1920s or even earlier.
- Writing under pressure in a blue book helps students develop nimbleness of thought, flexibility of argument, and the ability to identify and defend their ideas.
- The blue book serves as a record of students' thought processes, including their struggles and breakthroughs, which is valuable for both learning and assessment.