The Relevance of Cursive Writing in the Digital Age

For many years now, the debate over whether students should continue to learn cursive writing or simply stick to printing has raged. On one side of the argument are those who believe that cursive writing has lost its relevance in an age dominated by digital technology. On the other side are those who argue that cursive writing remains an essential skill, especially in light of the vast amount of historical documents written in cursive that would be lost to the public without it.

A Personal Perspective from the 1960s to Today

As a teacher who began his career in 1969, I witnessed the shift in writing skills among students. In those early days, all students learned cursive writing, which was often referred to as "Victorian Cursive Writing" and bore a resemblance to the Copperplate style. The act of writing in cursive was fluid and efficient, allowing me to write on the board in various classes while the majority of students could keep up with me. My dyslexic condition, where I struggled to distinguish between left and right, made written characters like p and q or b and d look indistinct until I took a step back to check. This was not a problem with cursive writing, as the letters were not mirror images.

The Decline of Cursive Writing

By the 1980s, the situation changed drastically. Many students could no longer write in cursive, preferring to print. This shift resulted in slower writing speeds and a reduction in the amount of content covered in each class when compared to ten years prior. To address the issue, I would print large amounts of homework on the board and place a bold statement: 'If you can read this, you don't have to do the homework.' Of course, no one ever did the homework, as they could easily read my writing. As computers and typing began to encompass more of our daily lives, students found themselves unprepared, resulting in slow typing skills.

The Evolution of Typing and Keyboarding Skills

To adapt, I began teaching typing, particularly through the method of "tough-typing" where students practiced entering information at speeds ranging from 30 to 100 words per minute with no errors. As technology advanced, this skill became increasingly important, and many students developed robust typing abilities. However, in the face of these advancements, the question remains: is cursive writing still a necessary skill?

The Need for Cursive and Printing Skills

Despite the prevalence of digital technology, children will continue to need the ability to fill in forms by hand and sign their names. Both printing and the ability to create a cursive signature remain important skills. However, do students truly need to learn cursive writing to write essays or handwritten notes? The answer is largely situational, depending on the personal preference of the student and the context in which the writing is being used. For some, like those who enjoy art, learning cursive or calligraphy might be fun. For others, it may be an unnecessary skill in the modern digital age.

Conclusion

While cursive writing may not be as essential as it once was, its significance cannot be overlooked. Historical documents, legal documents, and even informal notes may be written in cursive, making it a valuable skill for accessing and understanding these materials. As a teacher, I recommend that students learn both cursive and printing skills, with a focus on developing efficient typing skills early on. This approach ensures students are prepared for both the digital and traditional aspects of written communication.