tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867106943332368504.post431131157414075519..comments2024-03-24T02:20:49.965-05:00Comments on iTeach and iLearn: Teaching Handwriting?Dave Mulderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18395580054297587342noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867106943332368504.post-78818982456665702532018-01-31T16:13:51.842-06:002018-01-31T16:13:51.842-06:00I have always found this research interesting that...I have always found this research interesting that teaching cursive first potentially can help students to be more successful readers! All though I haven't found much scientific evidence that it actually works. But the idea of it makes sense! <br /><br />http://swrtraining.com/cursive-first/rationales/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14681854211167304398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867106943332368504.post-48405463717558591412018-01-24T15:48:32.110-06:002018-01-24T15:48:32.110-06:00Yes, but for different reasons than we used to, an...Yes, but for different reasons than we used to, and therefore in a different manner.<br /><br />It used to be a life skill that everyone had to master because you'd use it for the rest of your life. Writing in cursive, once you get good at it, is faster than printing. Because fewer of us do large amounts of handwriting, and those who do often prefer the aesthetic of printed letters over cursive, that is no longer a good reason to teach it.<br /><br />But, it still is a great exercise for improving eye-hand coordination; for the ability to read historical documents (and other cases where they'll need to read it if not write it); for the appreciation of the art of the matter; for the simple discipline of mastering a long-needed skill; some students who don't often experience "success" in school may turn out to be great at producing beautiful flowing text, and can benefit from the ego-boost this gives.<br /><br />The way it should be taught, then, would change from mastery of efficiency to mastery of beauty and form. That is, it's an art.<br /><br />Of course, this same argument could be made for numerous other "practical" skills, like sewing, leather working, carpentry, or cooking; some of these are also semi-obsolete in terms of necessary work-place skills, but even without practical importance, they can play an important role in helping teacher play a shaping role in the overall development of the students.<br /><br />So, my answer (as a non-grade-school educator) is: Yes, we should keep teaching it, but as part of the visual art curriculum rather than as a standalone skill. (And, while we're at it, we should expand the arts curriculum in general.)Nick Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06218801803908003608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5867106943332368504.post-50713863444378800642018-01-24T13:28:01.134-06:002018-01-24T13:28:01.134-06:00The only time I ever use cursive is when I write a...The only time I ever use cursive is when I write a check. As an adult I have no need of it. So I wonder if we should teach it.<br /><br />Although, I do wonder about the interesting brain research that suggests that cursive helps build certain aspects of the brain. Alex van Donkersgoedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09498850160208791960noreply@blogger.com