Should
Students be Taught Typing Instead of Writing?
Students should
be taught how to write instead of typing. Research has proven that handwriting
creates more neural pathway to the brain. When we write, the mind imagines the
suggestion then connects between idea generation and writing. The mistakes we do when writing, they are
noticed, and an alert in the brain notifies us for correction. All these
activities keep the mind active as it helps brain growth.
Handwriting strengthens the
learning process compared to when you are typing. Typing impairs the learning
process if compared with writing. In the case where students are taking notes
from the board, they process the information as they read (Longcamp,
2005). Students also get to internalize more details as
they write rather than when typing or snapping pictures to look at them later.
When it comes to reading, going to the library to research from the books is
more helpful than searching from Google. Typing has to do with the use of
technology which now involves searching from Google. In the library, the
environment itself switches the mind and the atmosphere of reading. When one
says he/she is in the library, that is enough to tell you he/she needs a quiet
time to read. If you are reading using a laptop or a tablet, it is easy to be distracted
to watch a movie or respond to a message. Handwriting training gives raise to a
better letter recognition than the typing training (Longcamp, 2005). When you stop writing, you
become a passive receiver of information. From a passive receiver of
information, you as well become a passive thinker to internalize what you have
read (Longcamp, 2005). After the
internalization of information, it is easy and important to write down short
notes that you remember for revision.
Education is
beneficial when students fight to earn it rather than being spoon-fed. For a
better educational foundation, students should first be introduced to writing.
Later on in their upper classes, typing should then be introduced. The hard
times one goes through to acquire knowledge act as a motivates in his/her
education life. Teachers should put this into place; otherwise, students will
be accustomed to receiving information without processing.
References
Gilbert,
J., & Graham, S. (2010). Teaching writing to elementary students in grades
4–6: A national survey. The Elementary School Journal, 110(4),
494-518.
Longcamp,
M., Zerbato-Poudou, M. T., & Velay, J. L. (2005). The influence of writing
practice on letter recognition in preschool children: A comparison between
handwriting and typing. Acta psychologica, 119(1), 67-79.
Purcell, K.,
Buchanan, J., & Friedrich, L. (2013). The impact of digital tools on
student writing and how writing is taught in schools. Washington, DC:
Pew Research Center.
