Write this Down… By Hand.

North America Group.
Week 11: “The New Elementary School: Should Children Write with Computer or Continue with Paper?”

Write this Down… By Hand.

Change is inevitable. Technology is the future after all. But should one of technology’s great inventions, the computer, replace the simple pen and paper in elementary schools? In my opinion, the answer is definitely no.

For one thing, we still write by hand…a lot. Even with the increased prevalence of computers in schools, and the world, writing by hand is still necessary. Just think about it for a second… Even if you do a lot of writing on the computer, you also have times when writing by hand is just necessary or may even be the better option. Whether it be a short note on the palm of your hand, filling out a form at the DMV, taking notes in class, or signing your name on a card, we still write by hand a lot.

It’s much more personal too. Before a child learns how to type, s/he should first learn to write the letters by hand, feel the movement of the pen, make the shapes in his/her own unique way. That’s much more personal and tangible than simply pushing some buttons. And on the subject of uniqueness, does every person in the world have their own unique font? No, they do not. But everyone has their own unique handwriting.

Writing by hand also serves as a memory aid. I don’t know how some people can sit in class and take notes on their laptops. I can’t even focus on what I wrote myself when I’m typing up a paper I handwrote previously. It’s just mindless keystrokes. I see an “E” and I push that key to type one. It feels like it’s not even part of a word, it’s just a button to push. I guess it might be a little different with note taking since you actually have to focus on the full words being spoken, but even then, I’ve attempted to take notes while someone was talking and I found myself not understanding a word the person said because all I did was focus on the individual words, not the sentences or the meaning behind the sentences. I just pushed buttons and retained nothing. Writing by hand is different. It requires a different level of involvement and concentration, and this helps people remember things better.

So, in my opinion, elementary schools (especially the lower grade levels) should focus on writing by hand. First. As I said earlier, I do believe that technology is the future, so having children learn to type and use word processing software is not only a good idea it’s also very important, but it’s not the first step. Like learning to walk before you can run, writing by hand should come before typing, and should be emphasized especially in elementary schools.

To close, I would like to give you all a little something special. Something that you can’t normally see when you read my articles. My handwriting. I think you’ll see a little more of me that way. Something you couldn’t get from just reading what I typed.

“My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there's something visceral about opening a letter - I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting.” ~ Steve Carell

By Shadow, United States of America

20 years old