That’s the question taken up at Wired’s GeekDad blog. My third-grader gets weekly “homework” which is supposed to teach her cursive writing. I am sure that a lot of time is being wasted. But I am not sure that it’s cursive that should go. Handwritten text is losing its practical purpose, so if we are going to retire something, perhaps the fancy stuff should surive.
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October 27, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Dane Carlson
We’re homeschooling and are wondering the same thing. I hadn’t thought of it your way though.
It might actually make more sense to retain cursive, especially if it requires a higher level of mastery, than block printed letters if you’re going to get rid of one of them, though — especially if all children learn exactly the same style of cursive. My biggest problem growing up was the inconsistency between everyone’s cursive made some much harder to read than others.
October 27, 2009 at 2:27 pm
egl
If you Google for Getty Dubay handwriting, you will see the rationale for something between block letters and cursive.
October 27, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Kevin
Cursive should not be taught. It’s 2009 – teach your kid to type accurately and quickly. At no point during the workday does anyone hand me a hand-written note. Neat printing is better for interpersonal communication anyway.
I was taught cursive in 3rd grade 20 years ago – I couldn’t read or write it now to save my life. I’m saddened to hear the elementary school system has not adapted to the 21st century. The problem is that the world has advanced far more from 1990-today than from 1970-1990.
October 28, 2009 at 6:40 am
valter
What about note-taking skills?
Writing block letters is too slow, stenography is too hard and esoteric. Some form of joined cursive writing seems like a good middle option for when we don’t have a computer at hand.
October 29, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Lyle_s
Who out there doesn’t sign their name in some sort of cursive? Don’t steal our individuality!