In an era dominated by AI tools like ChatGPT, US colleges are turning to a time-tested solution to safeguard academic integrity: the blue book.
Once a staple of traditional in-person exams, these simple, stapled booklets filled with lined paper are being reintroduced in classrooms to combat the rise of AI-assisted cheating. Educators are shifting back to handwritten, supervised assessments in an effort to ensure students’ work reflects their own knowledge and effort.
A Surge in Blue Book Demand
Sales of blue books have surged across major universities. Roaring Spring Paper Products, the primary supplier in the US, reports a dramatic rise in demand—over 30% at Texas A&M, nearly 50% at the University of Florida, and an astonishing 80% at UC Berkeley.
The resurgence comes in response to studies showing that up to 86% of students globally now use AI tools regularly. While these tools can aid learning, they also blur the line between assistance and academic dishonesty.
Why Blue Books?
Blue books offer a low-tech, reliable solution. Because they require handwritten responses in monitored settings, they drastically reduce opportunities for students to rely on AI-generated content during exams.
“Handwritten assessments help ensure the work is original and authentic,” said one professor. “It’s not about rejecting technology but preserving the value of learning.”
Shifting Assessment Methods
To further reduce AI misuse, educators are rethinking how they evaluate students. Many are replacing take-home essays with in-class writing tasks, structured oral exams, and on-the-spot prompts that students must address by hand during exams.
These methods prioritize critical thinking, comprehension, and personal expression—skills harder to outsource to AI.
Teaching Ethical AI Use
While colleges are reintroducing blue books to tackle immediate concerns, educators also recognize the need to prepare students for an AI-integrated world. Increasingly, institutions are embedding ethical AI usage into their curricula—helping students understand how to use these tools responsibly and effectively.
Looking Ahead
The return of blue books represents more than just a nostalgic nod to the past—it’s a strategic move in a broader rethinking of assessment in the digital age. As colleges adapt, a hybrid approach that blends traditional evaluation with responsible technology use may prove to be the future of education.