a technique we've been using in my department to mitigate llm brainrot among the students is in-class closed-everything paper quizzes, which means that i spend a little bit of time before each class session sharpening my box of loaner pencils, which makes me feel like a Old Tyme Wholesome Educator
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@fullywoolly it's a programming class so it's cumulative by nature but mostly they're quizzed on the previous week's material. i would like to say the choice of sharpener is intentional but in reality it was the only one i could find at the duane reade haha
@aparrish oh ya I guess programming would be cumulative by nature. I guess that's probably remember my 101 stuff so well and the 102 stuff that I never used went out the window too.
Have you noticed any improvements in performance vs previous classes?
@fullywoolly i haven't personally had a real opportunity to evaluate yet (the last time i taught this class was a few years ago, before the paper quizzes were added to the curriculum), but other instructors have noticed an improvement in attention and performance. (this is one of our required core classes but i might start adopting this strategy in my own home grown classes soon too)
i don't envy much from the stereotype of the old tyme wholesome educator BUT i do think my students should bring me more fresh fruit
@aparrish On curriculum night we learned that our kid’s 10th grade LA teacher runs the class on paper and pencil and the room of parents literally cheered.
@aparrish electric sharpener or delicious tactile finger-twisty sharpener
@cdrichards finger twisty, but if things keep going this way i might invest in one with a crank
@aparrish vibe if you want to but you better know and understand the material or else! (Please don't use the llm)
Do you ask questions only on the last material or do you interleave older content too?
I love that you sharpen pencils with the twist sharpeners. Makes it feel so ... Intentional.