Amidst the rising prevalence of digital tools, a recent study underscores the noteworthy advantages of handwriting. Led by Professor Audrey van der Meer at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, researchers found that handwriting fosters greater brain connectivity than keyboard typing.
The study, titled "Handwriting but not Typewriting Leads to Widespread Brain Connectivity: A High-Density EEG Study with Implications for the Classroom" published in Frontiers in Psychology, emphasizes the significance of handwriting in enhancing learning and memory formation, especially for students.
Writing Enhanced Brain Connectivity Compared To Typing
The study involved 36 university students wherein researchers collected EEG data while participants were prompted to either write or type words displayed on a screen. Writing was done using a digital pen on a touchscreen, and typing involved using a single finger on a keyboard. The high-density EEGs, equipped with 256 sensors, recorded brain electrical activity for five seconds during each prompt.
The results revealed that connectivity between different brain regions increased when participants wrote by hand, but this effect was not observed when they typed.
Professor Audrey van der Meer, leading the research at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, suggested that the visual and movement information obtained through precise hand movements while using a pen significantly contributes to the brain's connectivity patterns that support learning.
Despite the use of digital pens in the study, the researchers noted that similar results could be expected when using a traditional pen on paper. The findings underscore the significance of the careful formation of letters during handwriting and the heightened sensory engagement it entails.
Both cursive and print writing are anticipated to offer similar benefits for learning, as it is the deliberate movement of fingers when forming letters that enhances brain connectivity.
Conversely, the study highlighted that the repetitive movement of hitting keys with the same finger on a keyboard is less stimulating for the brain. Professor van der Meer explained that this distinction may contribute to challenges observed in children who learn to write and read on tablets, as they may struggle with differentiating between letters like 'b' and 'd' due to a lack of tactile feedback during the learning process.
Balancing Tradition and Technology
The researchers stress the significance of offering students opportunities to use pens in class, aligning with their study's findings. They propose guidelines to ensure students receive a minimum of handwriting instruction, even with ongoing technological advancements.
While advocating for the retention of traditional writing methods, they recognize the importance of staying informed about evolving technology and understanding the advantages each writing approach provides in diverse situations.
Despite the potential benefits of handwriting for learning processes, the ease, speed, and practicality of typing are often acknowledged. The choice between handwriting and typing should be informed by the specific task at hand, with consideration for factors such as note-taking for better information retention through handwriting, while typing may be more convenient for tasks like essay writing.
Nonetheless, experts assert that handwriting should not be disregarded in the digital age. They advocate for integrating more writing into curriculum design to ensure that younger generations maintain essential writing skills for practical tasks and personal expression.
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