A few weeks ago I posted an article exploring some issues around The importance of #handwriting. It stirred up a huge amount of interest from teachers across the world. This is part 2 of a 3-blog follow-up to my original article …
Background:
In a BBC News article, the art of handwriting has been under scrutiny after new figures show that two-thirds of teachers admit not giving students the marks they deserve because of poor writing.
“… electronic methods of communicating – email, Twitter, Facebook – have more or less replaced the need for pen and ink. Most of us today don’t even sign cheques, and legal documents are just as valid online as they are in print.” (Can signatures survive the digital age?)
Looking back to when I first posted this photograph on Twitter, a huge number of readers started to do the same. This raised some very important issues – surprisingly – about learning to write.
“As interactive technology becomes ubiquitous around the globe, some experts warn that formal handwriting may soon diminish, rendering the penmanship a relic of the past.” (Is handwriting still important?)
The concept:
During that day a large number of people tweeted examples of their handwriting. It was lovely to see many teachers embracing their own handwriting – warts and all – and sharing their own shortcomings. I even received this video tutorial about grip. There are countless examples at the bottom of this blog. Then, later on in the evening of 29th May 2014, @JeanEd70 tweeted this photo which led to the both of us suggesting that 1st of July, #PenATweet day.
#PenATweet
On Tuesday 1st July, Jean Edwards and I have anointed this day as ‘annual #PenATweet day to celebrate all things handwritten. As the digital era grows larger, the need for handwriting must remain a priority in all schools, as well as a priority for all parents and teachers. The cognitive argument that writing by hand has advantages for learning cannot be replicated in other ways. The act of writing by hand has been proven to help individuals remember knowledge and skills better.
So, get involved – perhaps consider a project in your own school too – and follow the simple guidelines below.
What to do?
What we would like you to do is this.
- In every tweet, use the #PenATweet hashtag.
- If at all possible, ensure that there is nothing else written into the tweet. Let the handwritten photograph tweet do the talking.
- Be creative, consider a small activity in your school and tweet along to #PenATweet. Spread the word and be creative!
- Focus your #PenATweet messages on these topics: education, teaching, school, handwriting, spelling, grip, communication and language.
- Let’s celebrate the importance of handwriting in the midst of a digital era.
I will tweet my own #PenATweet images on Tuesday 1st July 2014 at the following times: 7am, 8am, 1pm, 6pm, and 8pm.
Archives:
Related:
- As a follow-up to my handwriting blog, I plan to also write about ‘the importance of drawing’. This was recently echoed by art historian and curator, Jonathan Marsden who is Director of the Royal Collection. He attended the SSAT annual Arts Conference where I spoke about Creative Teaching and Applied Imagination.
- Creative theory in pictures is here.
- The Importance of Handwriting.
Reblogged this on teachaldenham and commented:
Tomorrow 1st July is #penatweet day to celebrate the importance of handwriting. Ross @teachertoolkit tells us more.
Having an ‘anything day’ (or should that be a ‘something day’?) signals that thing (and/or memory of it) is becoming rarer; is the danger intrinsic to the thing, its loss, or forgetting about it?
A great idea, one that we will support. Cambridge University Press has been publishing handwriting resources for schools for 26 years. Handwriting remains on the curriculum with an extension to Years 5&6 in September. For top tips and more visit our Facebook/handwritingnews. Thanks Ross, keep up the good work.