Learning the Lost Art of Cursive Writing
Picture this; you are in first year University about to write your midterm. So far, you’ve spent your entire educational career learning through a keyboard and with the support of auto-correct and have gained average (if that) spelling knowledge. After waiting anxiously for the professor to enter the examination room, you nervously put away your typed notes. He begins to lecture the exam instruction which is followed by the distribution of the examination booklets.
“Pull out your pens and pencils” directs your professor; “you may begin”.
You do so by reading the first question, collaborating thoughts and projecting them onto your paper. However your writing is off, you are not only having difficulty with writing your thoughts down at a projected speed but you are having difficulty grasping your pen and configuring the letters properly. Your brain starts to feel blank as you have difficulty putting hours of studied concepts down on the paper. Fifty minutes goes by, “pencils down” instructs the professor. You look at your exam; your writing is in shambles and lacks sophistication and confidence. You realize at that point, maybe typing the notes wasn’t a successful study method after all.
How is this relevant? The argument is that this skill is a relic and that there are more important skills to teach students in the 21st century. It is true; there are many things you can achieve with a keyboard these days. Technology is easy, reliable and universal. However, having the ability to write in cursive is a timeless skill. Writing offers a tactile or kinesthetic approach to learning. Children learn best when instruction is offered in a variety of mediums (auditory, visual and tactile). I learned quickly throughout my academic career that writing things down while studying helped me recall much more when needed. Cursive writing my notes helped visually picture word-for-word notes which benefited me greatly when it came down to Midterm/Final Exam season. Not to mention the speed it took to write my thoughts down, I was speedy!
Click the link below to read the article on benefits of hand writing and cursive writing for all ages:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/learning-the-lost-art-of-cursive-writing/article26600999/
By: Melanie Carlin, B.A. Sociology, Toronto Children’s Therapy Center