Nicole's Current Issue #5

Nicole Dagro
Language Arts and Technology
Current Event #5

Title: Is This the End of Cursive Writing?
Author: Caitlyn Carpenter
Source: CEC SmartBrief http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1114/p13s01-legn.htm
Publication: The Christian Science Monitor
Date: November 14, 2007

This article discusses the debate of whether or not teaching cursive writing benefits students and is better than using computers. The article goes into the pros and cons of cursive writing. Those for teaching cursive writing to students make the argument that evidence shows if students are taught cursive writing, then their SAT scores will be higher because they can right quicker and longer. Another argument presented by those who favor teaching cursive writing is that students need to know how to sign their signatures and not everyone has access to a computer to type. It also teaches students important hand-eye coordination. Other benefits of cursive writing include the argument that because of standardized tests students must be able to write down their thoughts clearly and quickly to pass the tests.
The other side of the debate states that we should be teaching students keyboarding skills so they may become efficient typists and not teach cursive writing because there is no real use for it anymore. People send messages through email and types letters, not through hand-written notes. These people also argue that students are more efficient when they type on the computer. They say students can’t write as fast as they can think, but they can type faster then they write. Those who support keyboarding and not cursive writing say that students can write longer essays and plan their essays better.
This article relates to our Language Arts and Technology class because we are always discussing better ways of doing things. We tend to lean towards the side of technology, but some of us stress the necessity of learning the basics before technology can even be integrated. The article posses the same arguments that we make over and over; do we keep to the traditional way of things or keep up with the changing times? The article not only posses an argument that we make constantly, but it deals with writing which is obviously a Language Arts topic.
This article got me thinking of the last time I wrote something using cursive writing. I sign things everyday, but do I sit down and write something in cursive. I came to this answer; absolutely not. If I have to write a note or passage I write it in print, never cursive. So then I asked my self, is cursive really necessary? I decided it was not. I also decided though that teaching writing is. Students must know how to at least print so they may communicate with others. They will not always be typing a note or passage. Therefore, writing skills are necessary. They can learn to sign their names, but I agree that cursive writing may be on the outs. I found this article interesting. I had no idea something like this was even a debate!