Writing versus typing. What's best?

One of the ways to better anchor knowledge in your brain is to write your study notes instead of typing them! A seemingly simple change can make it easier to remember information on the day of the test.

Hard to believe? Science Alert reports that a new study, published in Psychological Science, reports that using laptops to take class or study notes makes taking notes so easy that the information being recorded is less likely to be remembered. While laptops allow students to jot down information more quickly, the act of putting pen to paper activates areas of the brain that help them better understand the material they are writing down. The researchers write: “While more notes are beneficial, at least to some extent, if the notes are made haphazardly or by mindlessly copying content, as is more likely the case on a laptop computer than if notes are made by hand, the benefit."

Nowadays children are spoon-fed it; they never have to learn how to use a keyboard in typing class again because they have been using a tablet or keyboard from an early age. And that's good news, because technology is increasingly being used in the classroom in education. Technology has become essential to the way we access information and organize our lives. But just because something is new and useful doesn't mean the old way is no longer relevant and essential.

This is especially true when it comes to writing. Even in this technological age we are in, there are still plenty of times when you need to put pen to paper, such as when writing an essay for an exam. But it turns out that writing isn't just necessary for school: writing is an activity that has been shown to have numerous benefits for the brain and body.

Whether you're jotting down your thoughts, journaling, writing poetry, or starting a novel, old-fashioned pen and paper can have a huge impact on your emotional well-being, help organize your thoughts and even improve your mood.

While writing by hand is considered an old-fashioned activity, it is still considered a valuable skill that has many cognitive benefits, both in and out of the classroom.

SOME BENEFITS OF WRITING BY HAND LISTED HERE:

Stress relief

The act of writing itself can reduce stress, helping to improve focus and attention in the classroom.

Creativity and learning

A regular writing habit has been shown to increase creativity and deepen thinking, keeping the brain sharp.

Memory

Writing by hand has also been found to improve memory and prevent delayed performance. Writing with pen on paper activates parts of the brain, increasing the student's understanding. It also involves more senses and motor neurons than typing on a keyboard.

Feelings

Writing about feelings can improve mood and provide a sense of well-being – putting pen to paper helps to work out thoughts in an orderly way, making burdens feel lighter.

Gratitude

Some studies show that writing about gratitude, especially before bedtime, can improve sleep, leading to better classroom performance and a sense of well-being.

I hope you found my blog post interesting!

Maarten Janssen

Source: Science Alert.