Research Hit: How Handwriting Boosts Learning and Memory in the Brain

Writing by hand activates and connects the brain more than when typing

So the good ‘ole fashioned things, like handwriting, are actually best?!

Did you ever doubt it?! Remember, the rule of anything is that if you do something different, it activates the brain differently. The question, though, is is this a good, neutral, or bad thing for the brain.

With the advent of computers, and more recently tablets, we are spending less and less time handwriting. This also includes in learning environments such as at school and college.

I would think that handwriting activates the brain more - it requires more precise movements - doesn’t it?

There have been multiple studies and indeed most of them do point to handwriting being better for lots of things. This study, just out, looked at brain wave patterns of 36 students while typing or alternatively writing on a tablet.

So electronic writing?

Yes - some have argued that writing on paper is even more effective but I assume the differences are marginal. As you said the movements, the motor skill, and control is the same.

So what did these researchers find?