Hand writing helps remember better

People who like to study by writing on a computer screen should change to writing by hand if they want to be more effective. According to Norwegian researchers, handwriting helps us learn better using keyboards and computer screens.

Writing by hand mobilizes more senses than writing on a computer. Photo: Rebecca Reid

This observation was drawn from the experiment, in which two groups of volunteers were asked to study a strange 20-letter board. The first group learns by handwriting, the second group uses the keyboard. Subsequent test results show that the first group exhibits a better ability to memorize words and is more responsive in distinguishing the correct letters or being reversed.

According to Professor Anne Mangen, an expert in reading skills at the University of Stavanger, the process of writing on paper and reading books seems to seal knowledge into the brain more effectively than using a computer keyboard and monitor. Handwriting involves more senses than writing on the keyboard. When handwriting, the brain receives stronger responses from muscles and fingertips than when we touch and hit the keyboard, helping to reinforce the process of remembering new information. In addition, writing by hand makes us spend more time and mind, and is supposed to help the brain memorize knowledge and learn better.