Quote:
Originally Posted by genuinegirly
I disagree. Typing should be taught, at minimum. Most people in my generation didn't learn tot type in any orderly format. They may be able to type quickly, but their ergonomics are bad, leading to repetive stress injuries that could have been avoided.
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Yes, I definitely see a lot of hunt-and-peck typists our age, my SO included. I have tried encouraging him to try a program such as Mavis Beacon or Mario Teaches Typing (yes, you can still find this) to learn to type properly.
I don't take notes longhand anymore, and I am often left scratching my head as to figure out why my peers are still doing so. I have a netbook and that is what I use in class. I still see people with study guides written out longhand, despite the fact that typing is faster and things like Microsoft OneNote can make your study guide look all pretty and shit.
While the argument about fine motor skills is an interesting one, it's not really a good one. By the time a child is at the age cursive is taught, they are engaging in a wide variety of activities that encourage fine motor skills. Using scissors, drawing, painting, and even printing all use fine motor skills; cursive isn't special. Over the early elementary years, legibility and uniformity increase; learning cursive typically comes at the end of these gains (Berk 2008).
I think children would actually benefit more from having a recess instead of a cursive lesson. Now there's something that really needs to be brought back! More recess!