Is the writing on the wall for handwriting?

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How much do you write by hand? Most of us use a keyboard, physical &/or on a touchscreen for most of our writing. Dictation to computer or phone is becoming more common. I have to admit to a deterioration in the quality of my handwriting on the rare occasions I use it. Actually, the only recent handwriting I can recall is writing “paid” & the date on bills (paid using a keyboard), & signatures.

Should handwriting continue to be taught at school? Is handwriting important to learning to read? Does it facilitate growth of cognitive development or creativity? Cursive script verses printing? If children didn't have to learn to write by hand, think of the useful skills they could learn in the time saved.

Some see the decreasing use of handwriting as a significant loss. On the other hand, few express any concern about the almost total loss of carving-text-into-stone skills.

Podcast & transcript at:
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/futuretense/is-the-writing-on-the-wall-for-handwriting/6761164

10 Ways To Rescue Handwriting From The Grave
https://www.fastcodesign.com/1671586/10-ways-to-rescue-handwriting-from-the-grave / writing on the wall handwriting handwriting anachronism Finland many American states dropped it from the curriculum many psychologists believe cursive writing important role to play in cognitive development We value the written word Civilised societies defining features human advancement concept written word detached original mechanics writing quill pen keyboard keyboard touch screen scrawl ink-filled plastic stick finger and thumb our thoughts greetings communication reassess write literal literary virtue necessity teaching handwriting detractors writing by hand anachronism Finland dropped national curriculum many American states removed handwriting educational requirements teaching cursive script make the news state officials opt to keep it psychologist Angela Webb demise of handwriting real threat basis of education Dr Webb chair National Handwriting Association UK United Kingdom writing by hand stimulates cognitive processes no longer use a pen pencil daily communication teaching of handwriting essential for effective learning helps retain information helps develop other skills reading support retention of concepts mathematics very high correlation between creative writing by hand keyboard handwriting confers very specific benefit cognitive processing neurological research pretty solid evidence handwriting preschool changes brain literate individual looks like Karin James associate professor Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Indiana University conducting experiments young children neural imaging link physical act of writing early reading proficiency facilitates reading really important take that seriously evidence tablets computers introducing in preschool facilitatory effect on reading no evidence contrary production by hand letters help children understand letters then the words human brain is malleable adapt to the computer environment over time texting or typing same impact reading acquisition writing by hand adaptation Professor Anne Trubek author The History and Uncertain Future of Handwriting very different perspective like it or not handwriting already lost its position our primary means of communication time to move on loss fine motor skill kinetic memory lost people hand write less something to mourn advantages that will come in its place many things that we have lost in the history of writing worth mourning carving on stone memories oral cultures more capacious lose when you enter a literate culture writing and technology many revolutions changes years since humans have been writing just part of a transition people have the same anxieties and fears with each change casts doubt veracity research supporting retention handwriting in schools studies not as conclusively convincing headlines studies sample sizes quite small conclusions dumber research conclude writing by hand intrinsic social good disabled punished in the past lack penmanship studies conclusive teachers grade students lower poor handwriting content is identical good handwriting poorly written handwritten essay receive different grades typewritten receive same grade democratising force level the playing field Ewan Clayton warns against sentimentality professor of design University of Sunderland author The Golden Thread: A History of Writing dealing with massive change technology changes in writing practices changing use and think about library newspapers books emotional attachments institutions objects anxiety changes handle big adjustments personally wider social context equality handwriting political ideological weapon tool of enlightenment Industrial Revolution decrease in literacy dangerous thing to teach the working classes how to write records Britain funding schools fund school as long teach those students to read write gender differences writing young boys taught to write young girls taught writing particular kind of writing much narrower form of letter European context marked paperman or a woman previous experience technological change future of handwriting contentious issue debate irrelevance Clive Thompson contributing writer New York Times Magazine Wired type and text next stage of communication voice writing rise of new mass compositional practice handwriting only way to get your thoughts down typewriter get your ideas down voice dictation writing text by speaking it emails smart phone smartphone written using voice transcription service Siri type on a phone slow and clumsy speak clear voice generate an email text message note much more quickly mobile device text message email from me wrote the whole thing using my voice voice transcription slightly more oral cadence to the writing more formal contractions formulates sentences difficulty of correcting errors using voice transcription software means think first what he wants to say mental process computer cut paste undo write with a quill pen dipping ink hard to fix errors mental practices ink quill writing composed their sentences in their heads before they started writing implications for teaching early years of schooling profound introduction of laptops computer tablets classroom composition with their voice teach train do it well avoid poor habits teach people to handwrite teach them to type writing with your voice best cognitive tool educational setting voice design writing expert Ewan Clayton future potential for writing by voice either/or scenario communication technology human habits multiple channels of communication writing Roman world carved in stone wrote on papyrus scrolls styluses wax tablets variety of technologies different situations history handwriting niche uses pencils ballpoints ink on paper /