Teaching in the Digital Age: Down With Cursive!

I understand that teaching in the 21st century has dramatically changed as a result of the internet, social media, and advances in personal and widely-available technology.  Most of my elementary students have more gadgets and devices (tablets, mp3 players, gaming consoles) than my biweekly paycheck would afford.

If you have recently emerged from a rock, you will be interested to know that the teaching of cursive writing has been removed from many schools across the country. Taken from the IndyPost: "In 2011 Indiana State Board of Education made cursive writing optional and instead required computer keyboarding, in accordance with the national Common Core standards." Although that state, along with six others - California, Idaho, Kansas, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Utah - are possibly fighting that mandate.

Notably, scientists are finding that cursive writing has a whole load of benefits that, until now, have not been given their spotlight. Psychology Today writes, "learning cursive is an important tool for cognitive development... the brain develops functional specialization that integrates both sensation, movement control, and thinking... fine motor control is needed over the fingers. Brain imaging studies show that cursive activates areas of the brain that do not participate in keyboarding."

For a certainty, learning to use a keyboard (with more than just your two pointing fingers) is a useful skill.  But should it be only at the expense of cursive that it is learned? Is there enough time in the curriculum to teach both? 

I sat down next to two of the cafeteria ladies today between classes, and they were filling out time sheets.  I was absolutely enthralled with their beautiful, elegant, refined cursive handwriting. My students can barely read what I write on the board in print. I almost felt guilty.

Maybe we can teach it in Art class? Before it's lost.