Posted in Computer skills, Writing

The Case for Why Handwriting is Still an Essential Skill for Students

 2 Comments on The Case for Why Handwriting is Still an Essential Skill for Students
An article on NPR caught my eye. First, because it was on a topic many consider settled science–haven’t we moved on from handwriting to keyboarding? Audio even? If you poll schools, you’ll find that many continue to teach handwriting, partly because without it, how can adults sign checks and contracts? But also, because there are undeniable cognitive benefits students experience through the process of learning to write:
  1. Enhanced memory and learning: Handwriting improves retention of information compared to typing.
  2. Improved hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, essential for cognitive development .
  3. Enhanced creativity and critical thinking: The slower pace of handwriting allows for more time to think and formulate ideas, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
  4. Better reading fluency and comprehension skill
  5. Improved spelling, grammar, and composition, which are crucial for academic success and test performance.
Those are five reasons to get you thinking maybe there is still a place for handwriting in education. Now for NPR’s excellent article:
Handwriting’s cognitive benefits, including enhanced memory and learning, are under scrutiny as digital tools replace pen and paper in schools and workplaces. While typing offers efficiency, research suggests that the tactile process of handwriting engages the brain more deeply, fostering better comprehension and retention.

Read the Full Story: National Public Radio (5/11)

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Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Author: Jacqui
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, an Amazon Vine Voice, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
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2 thoughts on “The Case for Why Handwriting is Still an Essential Skill for Students”

  1. I learned handwriting in school and it has certainly come in handy (pun intended). Typing is maybe more important today but we shouldn’t forget about handwriting. I believe those five reasons for teaching handwriting make sense.

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