Monday, June 2, 2014

Handwriting, again

“Children not only learn to read more quickly when they first learn to write by hand, but they also remain better able to generate ideas and retain information. In other words, it’s not just what we write that matters — but how”: What’s Lost as Handwriting Fades (The New York Times).

Related reading
All OCA handwriting posts (Pinboard)

comments: 3

JuliaR said...

Julia Cameron recommends using a pen on paper when writing her 'morning pages' as the physical act of moving one's hand across a page helps with the creative process.

I've also been rereading Natalie Goldberg lately and she uses pen and paper. I think it's a kinetic connexion with the mind.

Michael Leddy said...

I want to grant that any tool might inspire a given writer. But if I had a dollar for every student who told me how much writing by hand helped them to improve, I could buy — oh, at least a new iPad. Maybe a new Mac.

JuliaR said...

Just got home from auditing a course in symbolic logic (3 hours, 2 nights per week for 6 weeks - intense!) and my hand is in pain! I am using a pencil but even if I were using my lovely Pelikan fountain pen, I'd still have a crampy hand. But you really can't take notes on a computer for this course. Well, I couldn't anyway.

Yes, I am auditing symbolic logic just for fun. I am also taking a Monday night seminar in reading Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations just for fun! I am the ultimate nerd. :)