01 May 2021
Research has shown that handwriting remains an essential skill for students to gain a better mastery of the subjects they are studying.
Additionally, there is a difference between writing by hand and typing. Each requires different cognitive skills. When we type, we simply tap a key – the movement is the same, regardless of the letter. It is a skill that is often acquired quickly and easily. By contrast, handwriting is a more complex task and takes years to master.
Over the years, a number of research works comparing the two have shown that handwriting yields the best returns in learning and memory.
Research showed that when children type, they recall fewer details in the long term. The researchers found that handwriting stimulated more memory cues as a context has to be formed for the writing.