Graders Urge Typewriters Be Permitted

A group of teaching fellows complained yesterday that students with illegible handwriting are not permitted to use typewriters on exams.

Arguing that typed exams would considerably reduce their work load, and at the same time put all students on an equal competitive level, almost every tutor reached in a random check strongly favored the use of typewriters.

Several of the teaching fellows, however, while agreeing that typed exams would be easier to read, raised some reservations as to whether such a program would be economically or pyschologically feasible.

Peter J. Achinstein, teaching fellow in Philosophy, stated that some students can think more clearly on typewriters. He pointed to the Law School as an example of the successful use of typewritten examinations.

One tutor, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, "I would prefer to read typed exams." He lamented that under the present system, 10 to 15 per cent of the exams he must grade are illegibly written, and consequently suffer lower grades.

Charles C. Baker, Jr., teaching fellow in Economics, said, "I wish I could have used typewriters as an undergraduate." He stressed the advantages a student with illegible handwriting would receive under a changed system.

Although admitting that "obviously it would be easier to read typed exams," Christopher B. Becker '52, teaching fellow in History and Literature, was uncertain about how a change would affect students' thinking. "I think the solution would be for people to improve their handwriting," he added.