https://sites.google.com/view/etec540-tomskinner/assignments-and-activities?authuser=0 (Scroll down to Task 4)
I chose to link to Tom’s reflection on manual scripts because he had many questions similar to my interests. I was also drawn to reflect on how manual vs mechanical writing is cognitively different. In my response to this assignment, I mention a study where it was found “that whenever handwriting movements are included as a learning strategy, more of the brain gets stimulated, resulting in the formation of more complex neural network connectivity” (Weel et al., 2023, p. 7).
Tom mentions that writing his grocery list out by hand helps him remember it better, even if he forgets the list at home. I, too, have experienced this, and it seems there is a scientific explanation. In a 2020 interview with WGN News, Professor Audrey van der Meer from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology points out that when you use a keyboard, it is the same little movement for every letter, but when you write by hand, it is different movements and the senses are more involved (1:56). It is suggested that this puts your brain in a state where it is easier to remember things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69-_wKYn_Y
I think that depending on the goal, there is an argument to be made that writing by hand is cognitively superior, and I do believe there should be more emphasis on handwriting. That is not to say there is no place for computers in education, but we need to hold on to the value of handwriting as well. Much of the reading I have been doing on best practices in teaching students to read involves multisensory approaches. This is especially important for students with dyslexia. Having students write the words, not just read the word, helps them build the connections in their brain to develop automatic recall of that word.
As an aside, I found this interview with Neal Stephenson, a science fiction author who has been handwriting his work for over 20 years. He is interviewed by Lex Fridman about this and mentions many of the same things that this class did while reflecting on this assignment. You can find the interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liQ1yFx2sX8.
References:
Lex Clips. (2021, November 12). Neal Stephenson: Handwriting vs typing | Lex Fridman podcast clips [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liQ1yFx2sX8
Van der Weel, F R Ruud, & Van der Meer, Audrey L H. (2023). Handwriting but not typewriting leads to widespread brain connectivity: A high-density EEG study with implications for the classroom. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1219945-1219945. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1219945
WGN News. (2020, October 1). Study shows handwriting better than typing for learning, memory [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69-_wKYn_Y