The written word

By Megan Dunn

Digital enablement has transformed and revolutionized our world. It has seen the invention of miracle devices - those which have the ability to radically change our lives; typewriters, phones and of course, the computer keyboard.

However, regardless of the wonders of these advancements, they have failed to fully eradicate the basic need for handwriting skills in everyday life. It’s a basic tool necessary for a plethora of everyday things; writing notes, signing documents, taking tests or journaling. Arguments surrounding the necessity of handwriting today compares to other critical theories relating to the takeover of technology. Hard copy books and book stores were predicted to die in the rise of the digital age with the introduction of E-books and Kindles. Nonetheless books persisted and new data has shown the physical purchase of books is actually on the rise whilst E-book sales are decreasing. Plus, the benefits of reading are unmatched and plentiful, as well as giving people a sound reason to escape their screens, something many relish today where our time on screens seems to dominate our free time.

The same argument stands with handwriting. It may be slower than typing and certainly doesn’t have spell check, but the intrinsic value and learning benefits are unmatched. It is incredibly important for long term academic success. The brain engages differently when we write something by hand as opposed to typing it on a keyboard or by touching a screen. Studies have also backed up the claim that writing improves memory, students are seen to retain learning better when working with new ideas through handwriting instead of typing. Furthermore, it heavily reinforces correct grammar, something many kids are completely lacking. With so many learning resources being available online and screentime dominating education and playtime, it comes as almost no surprise that New Zealand kids’ literacy levels are dwindling at alarming levels. A 2020 UNICEF report found that only 64.6 percent of Aotearoa’s 15-yearolds have basic proficiency in reading and maths. Turning that around, a staggering 35.4 percent - over a third of 15-year-olds – struggle to read and write.

A recent report from The Education Hub think-tank, Now I don’t know my ABC - the perilous state of literacy in Aotearoa New Zealand, shows that in writing achievement large numbers of New Zealand children have significant issues with writing, and that these issues are getting worse over time.

Dr. Nina Hood, author of the study and founder of the Education Hub, is of the opinion that while technology has affected handwriting skills, it is not solely to blame. She acknowledges that the mainstream use of computers and tablets is having an impact on handwriting, but perhaps more importantly, it is the perceived views on the importance of handwriting which is of main concern.

As per her research, the data on this are complex and suggest that, in education, how and by whom devices are used is as important as how often devices are used.

For the past 20 years, Aotearoa New Zealand has lacked a national literacy strategy meaning there is no clear, co-ordinated plan for how all parts of the education system need to work together to improve literacy achievement, which partially explains how we ended up here. As we navigate education through a technological lens, it seems more important than ever to understand that technologies have evolved into being more than just a tool - they are now an extension of ourselves, something that we assign meaning and experiences to. Educators and children alike need to be encouraged to establish similar positive meaning in traditional literacy methods such as handwriting.