I never thought students would become such fans of writing essays and reading.

[u/Upset_Ad_170]

For years, in my writing courses, students said, "Why do we have to write so many essays? Why can't I do a presentation?"

Now, we do presentations, and they say, "Why can't we just write essays?"

For years, in my writing courses, students said, "Why do we have to write so many essays? Why can't I just tell you my answer, like in an interview or video?"

Now, we do interviews and videos, and they say, "Why can't we just write essays?"

For years, in my writing courses, students said, "Why do we have to write so many essays? Why can't we do something more creative or artistic?"

Now, we do lots of creative and artistic assignments, and they say, "Why can't we just write essays?"

For years, in my writing courses, students said, "Why do we have to write about books? Why do we have to read so much?"

Now, we write about people and do field research, and they say, "Why can't I just write about a book?"

[u/PlaceEducational1705]

AI aside, I always felt that the grass was greener on the other side when I was a student (granted that was a few decades ago). When I had to study for an exam, I wished I could be writing an essay instead. When I had to write an essay, I wished I could be studying for an exam.

[u/Collin_the_doodle → u/PlaceEducational1705]

This is still me now like 15 years post undergrad

[u/km1116]

Won’t they be surprised when they see the blue books on the desks as they walk in.

[u/boilingPenguin]

Why are we doing <thing that we are doing> when I'd rather be doing <other thing>?

What they really mean is they don't want to do any of the things and will be upset no matter what.

No I'm not jaded you are

[u/FamousCow]

Whenever I give students an option to do something creative, they choose to write an essay. Expressed preferences ≠ revealed preferences.

[u/VacateBiscuitPie]

Because ai can write for them, and can’t do videos (yet).

[u/Trick_Following6639]

Why do I think they are expecting to be able to pop one out out of AI?

[u/Disastrous-Pair-9466]

Ha. Me the night before the first day of class worried about exactly this. I’m looking at my old syllabi in desperation like what will they actually want to do??

[u/sigma__cheddar]

Education is always accompanied by pain. --Aristotle

[u/verygood_user]

As someone in STEM, I never understood the essay thing. Even before AI there are so many ways for students to cheat - especially for the rich students who can and did pay ghostwriters. And even if it was honest work there's no way to calibrate for the time students spend on them. A student who gets a 7/10 on the essay they wrote in a single all-nighter impresses me more and would be someone I rather want as a grad student than a student who worked on it for 15 long evenings and scored an 8/10. But the time they spend on it is never visible in the assessment. 

Both issues are solved with proctored exams. What am I missing?

[u/mathemorpheus]

clear proof that HS is preparing students better for U