Today we have digital writing tools available literally at our fingertips all day long. Whether it is writing on our phones or on our laptop keyboards, we spend very little time actually using a pen and paper. I know there are exceptions, as some of you systematically make handwritten notes; for you I would claim that you have a great advantage. In this text I will outline some research-based reasons why you all should practice your handwriting skills.

Many studies have been conducted that look into the effect of handwriting on learning processes. They almost always conclude that for learning and memory, handwriting far outperforms digital typing. Professor Audrey van der Meer at NTNU has conducted several studies on students, measuring brainwave activity while writing by hand and while typing. The results are clear: the brain is much more active while writing by hand than when typing (Why Writing by Hand Makes Kids Smarter, n.d.).