Old-school note taking helps students remember
When it comes to cognitive retention, the pen may be mightier than the keyboard.
Researchers Daniel Oppenheimer, UC Los Angeles and Pam Mueller, Princeton University, recently published a study that found college students remember lectures better when they’ve taken handwritten notes rather than typed ones. “In three studies, we found that students who took notes on laptops performed worse on conceptual questions than students who took notes longhand. We show that whereas taking more notes can be beneficial, laptop note takers’ tendency to transcribe lectures verbatim rather than processing information and reframing it in their own words is detrimental to learning.”
Prior studies have primarily focused on laptop distractions and multi-tasking. However, this study suggests that even when used solely to take notes, typing leads to shallower processing. Common sense would predict that more notes are beneficial, at least to a point. However, synthesizing and summarizing content rather than mindless recording of content improves educational outcomes.
This is good news for both parents and schools who grapple with introducing more technology into homes and classrooms. It’s refreshing to hear that old-school note taking is still relevant and beneficial.” To read the study in its entirety, go to www.sagepublications.com, and search “longhand.
Vanessa Silver, M.S., BCET, of Handwriting Without Tears, leads workshops in California and all over the country. “The UCLA/Princeton study offers a practical example of studies that have shown that the very act of learning to handwrite improves thinking, language and working memory,” she said. “I see in my own experiences that when I handwrite something, I can recall it better, and many people who contact me to help their children to improve their handwriting share the same experiences.”
Keyboarding is also an important skill and learning to type is a worthwhile goal. According to Silva, “Handwriting and keyboarding need to co-exist. At home, at school and at work, there are times when each of these skills is the necessary way to communicate.” If you’re interested in getting the kids away from screens for a little while, however, here are some tips and fun ways to practice writing, either cursive or print, at home.
n Encourage your kids to write for fun, start a journal or write to a pen pal.
Underscore the importance of their signature, and give them the plenty of chances to sign their name. Pretend they are movie stars signing autographs.
Point out how and when we use writing each day, e.g. lists, notes.
As children learn, share old family recipes and letters or correspondence that they can now read.
Godden, Rumer, author of Black Narcissus and The River sums up the merit of writing well. “I believe, as the Chinese and Japanese calligraphers believe, that there is a mystique between the brain, the hand and the tool, pen, brush or scalpel; sometimes a flow is established between them, bringing a strange power.”
For information, both for parents and teachers, including printable downloads, curriculum overview, letter formation charts, and teaching guidelines, visit, www. hwtears.com.