It's becoming a big question, particularly with the recent influx of schools taking up 1:1 laptop programs.
Shang Lee brings up some good points in her blog (read here) best of all in her opening line explaining the last time she wrote something substantial was in an exam. The point of handwriting exams? I'm not sure.
The tactile nature of handwriting and the 'feeling' of the words expressed by authors may be missing, but this can be outweighed by getting ideas down quickly etc. To be honest, and an upfront apology to all authors, I don't get much of a 'feeling' from writing (except maybe frustration and cramp after prolonged periods).
The decision by Indiana Department of Education to lift enforcement of handwriting to be taught raises many questions. Feeble reasons to continue handwriting include the need for signatures, and the old favourite of educational discussions 'because we've always done it like that'. More details can be found here which include an outline about some other state's decisions.
For me, I'm not sure what's right or wrong, but I know that I need to handwrite in my life, and not every form of communication is from typing. If this is communication I need for myself (ie shopping list, reminders etc.) then it is no one else's responsibility, nor will it impact on anyone else, as to its legiblity. The problem is if it is communication with someone else (a 'please call back' note, a hand written order form etc.) then responsibility is on me to ensure my writing can is legible to communicate to my audience. Should I open my laptop, create a new word processing file, type, spell check, print, collect and deliver? Is it speed vs legibility now?
With NAPLAN rumoured to be going online around 2014, national organisations seem to be placing emphasis on the need for ICT to communicate ideas, as opposed to handwriting (or is it to avoid the 6 month wait for results?). ICT has been given priority in the 7 General Capabilities of the Australian National Curriculum, and the decision to move assessments online reinforce this priority.
After all of this discussion, one thing's for sure: if we abolish the teaching of handwriting, this will definitely impact on sales of Post-It notes...
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Shang Lee brings up some good points in her blog (read here) best of all in her opening line explaining the last time she wrote something substantial was in an exam. The point of handwriting exams? I'm not sure.
The tactile nature of handwriting and the 'feeling' of the words expressed by authors may be missing, but this can be outweighed by getting ideas down quickly etc. To be honest, and an upfront apology to all authors, I don't get much of a 'feeling' from writing (except maybe frustration and cramp after prolonged periods).
The decision by Indiana Department of Education to lift enforcement of handwriting to be taught raises many questions. Feeble reasons to continue handwriting include the need for signatures, and the old favourite of educational discussions 'because we've always done it like that'. More details can be found here which include an outline about some other state's decisions.
For me, I'm not sure what's right or wrong, but I know that I need to handwrite in my life, and not every form of communication is from typing. If this is communication I need for myself (ie shopping list, reminders etc.) then it is no one else's responsibility, nor will it impact on anyone else, as to its legiblity. The problem is if it is communication with someone else (a 'please call back' note, a hand written order form etc.) then responsibility is on me to ensure my writing can is legible to communicate to my audience. Should I open my laptop, create a new word processing file, type, spell check, print, collect and deliver? Is it speed vs legibility now?
With NAPLAN rumoured to be going online around 2014, national organisations seem to be placing emphasis on the need for ICT to communicate ideas, as opposed to handwriting (or is it to avoid the 6 month wait for results?). ICT has been given priority in the 7 General Capabilities of the Australian National Curriculum, and the decision to move assessments online reinforce this priority.
After all of this discussion, one thing's for sure: if we abolish the teaching of handwriting, this will definitely impact on sales of Post-It notes...
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