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Keyboarding Vs Handwriting in schools

Posted: 07 Aug 2011, 05:32
by Simworm
What do you think? Should schools be teaching keyboarding and other forms of computer-human interactions instead of handwriting?

These days it's probably more important to be learning within their own world using the computers seems to be the way to go. On the other hand we wouldn't want future generations to lose the craft/motor skill of handwriting. What is more important for the education of today's children?

Posted: 07 Aug 2011, 19:00
by Bighuey
I think they should teach both. The day might come when hand writing will be all thats available. Man, that takes me back to my schooldays. We had to learn to write with ink pens, there was a ink well on each desk and you would dip your pen into it, write a few words, dip some more, write more and so on. That was before ball point pens were popular. The teacher wouldnt let you use one anyway. We couldnt even use refillable fountain pens. They didnt believe in that new-fangled space age technology.I dont think you could even find an ink pen anymore outside of an antique store.

Posted: 07 Aug 2011, 19:22
by Meka
I agree, both should be taught. We are not yet to the point where handwriting is not necessary.

Keyboarding Vs Handwriting in schools

Posted: 08 Aug 2011, 02:05
by RGrigorihogab
i vote for both as both are very important these days because initially when kids are made to learn we make them understand how and what things look like so they imagine things and then they will be visualizing the things so here hand written plays a major role
and after learning what tings are they need to apply so here keyboard plays the role

Posted: 08 Aug 2011, 09:02
by Maud Fitch
Fine motor skills are developed early. Writing is one of them and it benefits 'hand-eye' co-ordination in many other ways. Naturally we use a keyboard differently. However, electronics are part of our world (think texting, ATM keypads, touch screens, etc) so I believe the most important thing we have to learn in this regard is how to type.

Touch typing should be taught early in life to help eliminate errors and increase speed. To a certain extent, technology has outstripped our capabilities and we have two generations of keyboard users who still type with two fingers. I say not good enough!

Posted: 08 Aug 2011, 09:07
by Bighuey
Now I feel inadequate. I type with two fingers. I thought I was doing great when I graduated from one finger. :(

Posted: 08 Aug 2011, 09:15
by Maud Fitch
Bighuey wrote:Now I feel inadequate. I type with two fingers. I thought I was doing great when I graduated from one finger.
Cheer up, Bighuey, my pet rant is aimed at school children. I'm afraid it's too late for the rest of us!!!!! <wink>

Posted: 09 Aug 2011, 00:00
by DelacruzRdogac
information is wealth so adopt to the environment and gore to heights.
Thats what plants teach us.

Posted: 21 Aug 2011, 23:39
by andr70
As fro me I'm a big fan of handwriting.
And I would say more printing is soulless and you can't archive satisfaction from it:). But sometimes the sound of knocking buttons on the keyboard helps to write something.

Posted: 22 Aug 2011, 20:39
by Robin jackson
i love good handwriting and i wish i can have ...i think both are important for today generation

Posted: 23 Aug 2011, 09:02
by Dragonflytears
I'm super happy that they are teaching keyboarding in the schools. My son is autistic and in grd 7 his handwriting is that of a 6 year old. His classroom has allowed most of his work done on computer. While handwriting is important, it is not essential in this day and age. You can even rubber stamp your signature...

i prefer handwriting

Posted: 24 Aug 2011, 23:43
by Russellc
handwriting that means writing in books are preferable rather than writing in ebooks

Posted: 25 Aug 2011, 08:54
by Bighuey
Handwriting is preferable for most people but not for everyone. I have arthiritis in my hands and I cannot hold a pen very well so a keyboard or even an old-fashoned typewriter for printing labels, etc works well for me. It would be good to learn to use a keyboard for a backup in case you cannot use your writing hand well.

Posted: 25 Aug 2011, 09:01
by Fran
My handwriting is like a doctors script so I type as much as possible. Of course even the doctor doesn't write the script anymore!
Probably it is more important nowadays to have keyboard skills but it is a pity to see good handwriting disappearing.

I was recently looking at the Irish census returns for 1901 & 1911 & it's amazing when you see the magnificent penmanship on the forms ... real copperplate stuff from, in most cases, people who only had basic education.
But then nearly everything had to be handwritten in those days so good penmanship was vital.

Posted: 25 Aug 2011, 09:29
by Bighuey
Fran wrote:My handwriting is like a doctors script so I type as much as possible. Of course even the doctor doesn't write the script anymore!
Probably it is more important nowadays to have keyboard skills but it is a pity to see good handwriting disappearing.

I was recently looking at the Irish census returns for 1901 & 1911 & it's amazing when you see the magnificent penmanship on the forms ... real copperplate stuff from, in most cases, people who only had basic education.
But then nearly everything had to be handwritten in those days so good penmanship was vital.
Ive noticed that, too. Things written in the 18th and 19th century had perfect handwriting. They must have had more time then.