The big debate: Does handwriting still serve a purpose in today’s schools?

The impact of technology on writing by hand

Thanks to technology, everyday tasks are now a lot quicker. In schools, technology helps students and teachers create projects more easily, complete exams faster and take care of administrative tasks more quickly. But with tech featuring more and more in the classroom, what does that spell for handwriting?

Research shows that children spend only 3.4% to 18% of the school day doing activities that require writing by hand. Meanwhile, only 30 to 60% of students’ time in school is associated with handwriting. And yet, more than 20 states in the US have made it mandatory to teach cursive writing to young students.

There’s no doubt that students have to learn to use the technology that will define much of their lives. However, writing by hand is also an important life skill. Not only does it foster better academic performance, it can also have a positive effect on students’ mood and the way they retain information.

In the writing by hand vs typing debate, here’s why kids should keep putting pen to paper.

Deeper learning 

Writing by hand is a type of kinaesthetic learning – which means that students physically do something to process new information. This type of learning facilitates cognitive development and helps improve students’ memory. 

In fact, studies show that the movement involved in handwriting can support students in remembering new words. Other research highlights that tracing out the alphabet, rather than typing it, leads to better and longer-lasting memory of the letters. Writing by hand therefore lays the foundations for students’ literacy in their native language, as well as when learning new languages.

One study has also revealed that electrical activity in the brain is higher when taking notes by hand, which could mean that it’s easier for students to stay engaged and grasp new concepts. In particular, the study found that people have to visualise letters before they write by hand and then use motor skills to control how they write. When typing, however, keys look the same and so fewer parts of the brain are active.

That’s not to say that typing on a computer doesn’t have benefits. It’s faster and easier to edit and revise. But teachers have to recognise the subjects and tasks where typing makes the most sense. For example, it can actually take longer for students to complete an algebra assessment on a computer than by hand.

Better mood, wellbeing and creativity 

Interestingly, creative writing by hand can affect how students feel. Because it’s tactile, the process can stimulate positive emotions for students, along with improved self-awareness. And, the heightened brain activity that takes place when we write can reduce stress and anxiety levels. That’s why journaling is associated with good mental health.

Kinesthetic activities often feel more rewarding because they require more physical energy. So, writing by hand can promote a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in students.

Creativity comes into play with handwriting. Research suggests that the greater brain activity that takes place when writing on paper means students can recall information more clearly later – and separate research implies that creativity is boosted if people can retrieve information more clearly from memory. The researchers even advise using paper instead of digital methods to compose art, music or other creative projects.

Nonetheless, researchers do note that by personalising digital documents (highlighting, circling, underlining, adding notes), students can mimic some of the mood and creativity-enhancing advantages of handwriting.

Improved accessibility 

Every student, regardless of their abilities, can learn from writing tasks. Writing by hand can actually assist students with dyslexia because it’s a multi-sensory experience that combines visual, motor and cognitive skills. When students write cursive, words become a unit and not separate strokes like on a keyboard, which means they’re more likely to remember the correct spelling of a word. There are also specialised pens and paper with raised lines that can support students with mobility issues when writing by hand.

However, writing on a computer can make writing faster and more comfortable for many students. For students with disabilities, features like spellcheck and customisable formatting options allow them to learn how to write in a more dynamic and accommodating way. Plus, accessibility technologies like speech-to-text software let students with diverse needs understand writing instructions and produce great written content. In this scenario, writing on a computer can instil confidence among students who may feel more restricted when writing by hand.

It’s worth mentioning too that studies show students with specific writing disabilities respond well to lessons where writing is taught via computers. For example, you could use writing software with a touch screen to let students draw out letters and words and interactive documents where they can cross out, highlight and change written texts.

Job preparation 

Despite technology being everywhere, handwriting is still a necessary skill in some areas of work. A survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 72.7% of employers look for candidates with strong written communication skills, including being able to write well by hand.

For instance, a teacher has to handwrite feedback, grade papers and write on the class board. Healthcare professionals have to handwrite prescriptions and patient charts. Attorneys and judges have to handwrite and annotate documents during trials and depositions. Creative professionals write by hand also – architects sketch concepts and plans before converting them digitally.

No matter how much tech is around us, there will always be areas that require writing by hand. Preparing students to be able to both write by hand and use technology, will give them the best chances of succeeding in their careers.

Ways to encourage handwriting in schools 

There are plenty of fun activities to get students writing by hand in your classroom. You could start each day with a short journaling exercise. Give students a prompt and 10 minutes to respond in any format – it could be a poem, narrative, song lyrics – so long as it’s written by hand.

It’s also good to incorporate handwriting in different classes. In science, you could tell students to write observations and conclusions by hand. In art, you could practise calligraphy. In physical education, ask students to track each other’s times and scores by hand.

Elsewhere, set up a pen pal project, where students write letters to peers in other schools or countries. Or a handwriting club could be an afterschool hobby for students who are interested in cursive writing and creative writing. You could also set up competitions for the best handwriting, or give out awards for students who are the most creative with their handwriting – for example, by writing a comic book. 

Other cool ways to encourage handwriting in schools are:

• Handwritten, student-led school newsletters or zines

• Bulletin board displays with handwritten content 

• Peer sessions where students review each others’ handwriting

• Use handwriting apps like Stylus in lessons 

Handwriting certainly does still serve a purpose in today’s schools because it continues to serve a purpose in the world! To fully prepare students with the skills they need for long-term learning and to fulfil their potential, being able to write by hand has to be a priority in education. 

Rather than view technology as an alternative to handwriting, teachers can leverage tech to teach and promote writing by hand and fuel students’ digital literacy. 

After all, the pen is just as mighty as the software!

Further reading

Curious about other important discussions in schools? Read our big debates on Should schools avoid screen time for kids? Should teenagers start school at 11am? and Should school lunches be vegan?