Why Johnny Can't Handwrite

theodp writes "Handwriting experts fear that the wild popularity of e-mail and IM, particularly among kids, could erase cursive within a few decades. With 90 percent of Americans between the ages of 5 and 17 using computers, it's not uncommon for kids to type 20-30 WPM by the time they leave elementary school. Keyboards, joysticks and cell-phone touch pads have ruined kids' ability to hold a pencil properly, let alone write legibly, says the former president of the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting."

Comments

And this is a problem ... why, exactly?

[Chip Salzenberg]

Oh, heavens! The ability to properly illuminate latin texts is probably dying out as well. However shall we cope?

I'd really be concerned if our spelling and math were slipping. Um, hold on a minute....

Times change

[esampson]

And in related news, experts at the United States Center for Equestrian Activities have grown increasingly concerned that the automobile will cause a sharp reduction in the horse riding skills of the average American.

Re:Thumbs

[dtldl]

IM on mobile phones being sms text messages which havent caught on in the US, and not long ago, I was forced to do repetative excercises using "joined up" letters so I could write cursively. But whether digitally or on paper, I still prefer writing cursingly than cursively.

Umm

[shirameroix]

"International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting"

Wow... there is such an organization? Oh man, I thought that I was a dork...

That's scary.

[WalterDGeranios]

Keyboards, joysticks and cell-phone touch pads have ruined kids' ability to hold a pencil properly

That's funny. Is the reverse true? Do people that can properly hold pencils mash cell phone keypads, pull keys off keyboards, and gnaw on joysticks?

Re:Who cares?

[micromoog]

Grammar, sentence structure, and spelling.

Please diagram that sentence for me.

I don't doubt it...

[Faust7]

the next generation will be using their thumbs to do things we would use our index finger for,

...especially if more people start thinking like my girlfriend.

This is just another attempt

[leko]

to keep the left-handed man down! Don't listen to this handwriting propaganda. Typing sets you free!

Re:Thumbs

[CAIMLAS]

That's what pisses me off about college - you don't get any reward for conceiseness or clearly thought-out answers. So what if you can answer an essay question better than everyone else, in half as much space - the exam is to write a 2 page essay, in class, with a pen/pencil, on X or Y topic or idea.

I have a feeling that this is the doing of governmental regulation agencies.

I'm sorry

[Trepidity]

We read slashdot, so we did not get your joke. You'll have to explain.