I've been pushing on Fairfax County VA schools for years and years to at least give equal weight to keyboarding.
It is WRONG for a second grader to get a "-" for cursive when he can already TYPE 72 WPM.
This step forward should soon sweep the nation.
Last week, the judge in the Casey Anthony trial asked the young man who had caused a disturbance in the courtroom with his middle finger stunt if he could ‘read and write’.
If all we teach is ‘keyboarding’, then his answer would have been ‘no’.................
It turns out that one of the best classes I ever took in high school was typing. Of course a buddy of mine and I took the class because that’s where all the girls were. It payed off in the long run because I am fairly good on the keyboard.
As I grew up, I entered the electronics industry as a draftsman, then got into design. We printed everything and I continue to print everything today. I guess the main thing is “Can you communicate effectively?” Things are going to evolve, with us or without us.
They seem to do that here in Accomack County. One of the application requirements for Governor's school is that all three essays must be in the student's own handwriting. That drove my daughter up the wall, especially considering one of the required essays was about computer skills!
Printing can be nice, but a nice 'hand' is far nicer.
And when an EMP finally hits, and all those fancy keyboards and computers that we have become paperweights, not learning cursive gives people on less way to communicate thoughts on paper. Sure, they can print, but I think the flowing style of cursive should allow people to communicate more quickly on paper.
Hell, I’d even re-introduce shorthand for secretaries. It would be convenient if their computers are down.
I don’t think I agree with you that it is a step forward. There are many activities done with the hands that actually help with brain development and intensify reading ability.
Seems like both handwriting and keyboarding should be taught.
Please read my post #149.
I would certainly support teaching good typing habits as early as possible in the elementary grades. Inefficient typing habits are hard to unlearn, and with the social networking we have today, even children in kindergarten are using keyboards. They might as well get off to good start in using that keyboard.
Handwriting can be taught as part of spelling, so there doesn’t need to be any wasted school time in learning this skill. The muscular action of writing out a word in correct cursive is very helpful in memorizing how to spell it.
And...While legible cursive is far less essential today, it is a nice skill to have. It is an indication of education and refinement.