The Impact of Typing on Handwriting: A Deep Dive
Considering the question ldquo;Has writing so much slowly ruined your handwriting or not?rdquo;, it's not quite accurate to blame handwriting's decline solely on the proliferation of typing. Instead, it might be more useful to examine how various factors, including consistent typing and poor fine motor skills, have influenced one's writing abilities.
My Experience with Handwriting and Typing
From a personal standpoint, my handwriting was never stellar. It suffered from inconsistent schooling that impacted my fine motor skills. During my secondary school days, I adopted an italic pen, which helped me write legibly to a certain extent, as my exams were typically handwritten. However, over time, I noticed that typing everything has made it difficult for me to write."
Today, my handwriting is illegible, even to me. It has two distinct speeds: fast and legible. The legible writing I do is partly a result of drafting courses I took in high school. Thank you to Mr Nagle for his dedication to ensuring that I printed exactly as shown in the book. My handwriting is just legible enough for everyday use. Yet, when I take notes in real time, I revert to the cursive script I learned in fourth grade. This script has deteriorated so much over the decades that I can barely read it. It serves as more of a reminder of our past than a useful record.
The Role of Typing in Handwriting Degradation
When I graduated from high school, my handwriting was at best legible only to me. A particular history teacher, who insisted on dictating notes in class, certainly played a role. Later, the Air Force Academy required all cadets to take typing. A fellow cadet asked why we had to type when we were going to be officers and airmen would handle official typing. The instructor explained the necessity of typing for secure messages. In our third week of class, we were given blank keycaps to learn by touch.
By the time of the final exam, I was typing at 75 words per minute, one of the better typists in the class. I abandoned writing anything except class notes and even began typing my letters home. I struggle to recall the last time I actually wrote anything by hand, other than entries in forms and signatures.
The shift towards typing has undoubtedly influenced my handwriting negatively. My hands sometimes move too quickly over the paper, resulting in an illegible script. This issue is exacerbated by poor fine motor skills that were already a hindrance.
Conclusion and Reflection
While technology, such as typing, has undoubtedly impacted handwriting, it's not the sole factor. Fine motor skills, lack of practice, and the convenience of typing have all played a role in the degradation of handwriting. This issue is not unique to me - it’s a common problem that speaks to the broader shift towards digital communication in our modern era.
As society continues to rely more on digital communication, it's essential to consider how this might affect our ability to write legibly. Handwriting is a valuable skill that not only communicates to others but also offers a personal touch. It's important to recognize the value in maintaining the ability to write legibly.