Cognitive benefits of handwritten note-taking in a digital era
As technology overtakes traditional tools, handwritten note-taking faces oblivion in education. Keyboards are favored for their efficiency, yet research reveals the cognitive merits of manual writing. A recent study published in journal Frontiers in Psychology indicate that handwriting enhances spelling precision and memory retention. Let's understand how the cognitive benefits that come with handwriting, are often overlooked in the pursuit of efficiency.
What research says
Audrey van der Meer, a brain researcher, at the Norwegian Institute of Technology, supports the notion that students grasp and retain information more effectively through handwritten lecture notes. On the other hand, she acknowledges the practicality of using a computer with a keyboard for tasks like composing lengthy texts or essays, highlighting the nuanced role of different writing methods in optimizing learning and productivity.
Distinct neurological effects
Norwegian researchers explored the impact of manual letter formation on brain connectivity, using EEG data from 36 university students prompted to write or type words. Using high-density EEGs with 256 sensors, they found increased connectivity between brain regions during handwriting, not typing. This suggests that the act of manual writing uniquely enhances brain connectivity as compared to keyboard typing.
Finger movements stimulate brain
"We've demonstrated that the variations in brain activity are linked to the deliberate formation of letters during manual writing, engaging more senses," explained Van der Meer. The finger movements involved in letter formation are key to promoting brain connectivity. In contrast, the repetitive action of hitting a key with the same finger is found to be less mentally stimulating.
Digital systems
Despite participants using digital pens for handwriting, the results are anticipated to hold for traditional pen and paper. The findings emphasize the importance of allowing students to use pens in class, suggesting guidelines for minimum handwriting instruction. The team also emphasized the need to balance this with adapting to evolving technological advances as digital systems are becoming more widespread due to their growing precision.
