Linda Spencer, MS, CGA
Questioned Handwriting
LS Spencer and Associates
Illinois Forensic Handwriting Experts
Phone 630-631-1987
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Does Cursive Handwriting Need to Be Taught in A High Tech World/
Posted on January 20, 2015 at 9:50 PM |
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National Handwriting Day is Friday January 23rd so I decided to write again about the importance of cursive handwriting. It is not only important to learn as a skill but more importantly it is a principle to the learning process itself, My background: I am a certified Graphoanalyst with
over 25 years of experience working as a handwriting expert. I have a
masters degree in Human Service Administration. I have six years of experience
working in both the public and private sectors of education and have worked with
teens with developmentally delayed and high risk concerns.I enjoy substitute teaching. Does Cursive Handwriting Need To Be Taught In A High Tech World? You may not have noticed but cursive
handwriting is quickly becoming a skill of the past. Many schools are choosing
to eliminate handwriting instruction from their elementary classrooms.
Controversy is growing over the role handwriting and keyboarding instruction
will have in the classroom, particularly in the elementary grades where
students are still developing their reading, writing and motor skills. The
controversy was addressed earlier this year by an Educational Summit held in
Washington, DC titled "Handwriting in The 21st Century." The Department of Education Common
Core State Standards for education was developed in 2010. These common core
practices apply to English language arts and Mathematics. The standards
represent a set of expectations for student knowledge needed to succeed in
college and careers. Keyboarding is listed as a skill that students must
acquire, manuscript handwriting is minimally addressed and cursive is excluded
altogether. These major changes serve to increase the controversy over the
roles of handwriting and keyboarding instruction in elementary schools. Cursive
handwriting has long been a cornerstone of education yet the elimination of
cursive handwriting has been based largely on assumptions including the
assumption that keyboarding skills are superior to handwriting skills. Today
the Common Core State Standards allow each state to decide whether to include
cursive handwriting in their curriculum. Given the choice more and more states
have been choosing to eliminate cursive handwriting instruction from their
schools. Some feel that teaching cursive is "old fashioned" and a
waste of time. Others believe that it should continue to be taught. Regardless
of your point of view, you should be concerned about the removal of handwriting
from the curriculum because these changes are occurring without adequately
researching the possible consequences for the young learner. At the heart of
the controversy is the lack of evidence regarding how the elimination of
cursive handwriting will impact learning and education in general. Much of the
education research that has been conducted by universities has focused on
technology and literacy. Little regard has been given to the interrelationships
of handwriting development and reading, spelling and composition. As a result
many kids educated in the last two decades cannot write in or even read
cursive. Many policy decisions were made without researching the possible
impact on young students who are still developing their reading, writing, and
motor skills. Specifically, how these skills relate to cursive handwriting
instruction. That may be changing. The Educational Summit titled
"Handwriting in the 21st Century" held in Washington, D.C. included
the attendance of professors, neuroscientists, teachers and interested
citizens. Presenters shared cross-disciplinary handwriting research and
attendees voiced their opinions about whether-and how-this skill should be
taught. Through presentations and workshops, attendees learned how handwriting
is a foundational skill that helps children develop in other areas, such as
reading, writing, memory, and critical thinking. Several neuroscientists
presented findings ranging from handwriting and occupational therapy to
neuroscience research that documents the impact of handwriting on kids'
learning. In a survey at the conclusion of the summit, 85 percent of the
attendees believe that handwriting instruction is "very important" in
the 21st century. A majority responded that handwriting should be taught from Kindergarten
through 5th grade. All of the research presented at the conference indicates
that teaching handwriting is beneficial. Although the conference was sponsored
by a handwriting curriculum company, the presenters came from a broad range of
fields and presented a convincing case. One of the most remarkable findings
came from Karin Harman-James at Indiana University. She presented research she
conducted using MRI scans of children's brains. Her research which was
conducted in 2012 showed that writing by hand activated parts of the brain
associated with language development, while keyboarding did not. Anyone interested in more information about learning cursive handwriting and some of its effects on the brain many published research articles are available for perusal on the
internet. As well as a few research studies on how keyboarding affects the brain. Neuroscience tell us that all of our habits create neuropathways in the brain and that new habits can change the brain well into old age. In addition, some neuroscientists have published books which have
sections describing how handwriting and hand printing effects the learning process including memory. Two of these
books are; The Hand: How its Use Shapes
the Brain, Language and Human Culture, by Dr. Frank R. Wilson. His book
describes in detail the pivotal role of hand movements in the developing of
thinking and language capacities. He says that learning to write in cursive is important in "developing deep feelings of
confidence and interest in the world-all-together, the essential prerequisites
for the emergence of the capable and caring individual." Considering the
bullying problem and the lack of empathy many teachers are noticing in their
students, could it be that learning cursive handwriting has an effect on the
area of the brain that develops empathy and tolerance for others? We don't
know...yet. Do you think it is important to find out? Another book is, The Brain That Changes Itself by
neuroscientist Norman Doidge. His book discusses the subject of
neuroplasticity, how the brain changes and develops neuropathways in relation to
habit changes and repeated actions. His research describes how handwriting and
keyboarding require different actions and effect the brain in different ways.
Dr. Dodge has said, "When a child types or prints, he produces a letter
the same way each time. In cursive, however, each letter connects slightly
differently to the next, which is more demanding on the part of the brain that
converts symbol sequences into motor movements in the hand. Each of these
actions creates different neuropathways in the brain, In summary, much controversy exists regarding
the importance of learning cursive handwriting. Evidence is building that indicates the
brain is effected and changed in ways we never realized. Brain research is
constantly providing new revelations.Research in this area needs to be encouraged and funded. Changes in curriculum that impact how kids learn and retain
knowledge need to be carefully examined and evaluated prior to being
implemented. At present most school districts can still decide if they want to
teach cursive handwriting. Where does your school district stand? If you think
cursive handwriting is important to learn contact your child's teacher or
school administrator and express your concern. Some states are reinstating
cursive handwriting into their education curriculum. The beautiful State of North Carolina not only requires cursive handwriting lessons in their curriculum requirements but added the memorization of the multiplication tables as well. Frankly I didn't know the memorization of the multiplication tables were no longer required, did you? If you believe that teaching cursive handwriting is important you can contact your State legislator and ask what they know about this change in curriculum. Ask if they have seen any research studies and what their opinion is of the change.You may find they are not aware of the change. Explain your concerns, give them a list of States that have reinstated cursive handwriting into their language arts requirements. You can find these States on the internet or I am happy to provide the list for you per your request. You can find more information on cursive handwriting on the website Campaign for Cursive.I encourage you to become a member. |
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