jackthehat

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...e-texting.html

"Meanwhile last year, experts warned that in some schools, staff view teaching joined up handwriting as a 'waste of time' because everyone will be doing everything on computers."

This examiners' report said: 'A completely accurate letter layout was a rare thing, as was a candidate who can spell 'sincerely'

"The trend means that some children still haven't mastered joined up handwriting by the time they start studying for their A-levels."

weasel decentral

This same argument raged when we moved from chiselling words on blocks of stone to pens, paper and ink.
Things change

Dumbo

hmmm.....is joined up handwriting really an impressive skill? Surely its the neatness and content that are more important.

"The content of Jane's writing is sketchy, but she can join an 'o' to a 't' in long hand so we will give her a grade A."

scrubbedexpat141

It's important to be able to write relatively neatly.

It's more important to be able to spell. I ****ing hate bad spelling.

the_red_sheep

But, will it be important to write neatly in the not-to-distant future? I very rarely have to write anything for someone else to read, the only thing that springs to mind is in cards. I write notes etc for myself, but anything for others to read is typed.

I agree bad speeling is a reel knightmare.

scrubbedexpat141

Yeah true, valid point.

99% of what I write is for me. The 1% is normally on a form where capitals are used...

Maybe there is no need. But I still think it's important.

shiva

this is me

http://theoatmeal.com/blog/handwriting

Beakersful

Handwriting takes practise. We are currently in an era where 'education is uncool' and many people believe that "if the job is too hard for you, you don't have to do it." This in a mistaken belief that it will stress the poor darlings. Therefore we can understand how the hours and hours of practising handwriting that is necessary to maintain a certain level is omitted. I frequently hear people saying geometry and geography are not necessary for their kids education as they'll never use it in the workplace. This all too frequently from single women who choose to keep popping out kids and avoiding work altogether.

Other examples are kids turning up to kindergarten in nappies, primary school kids who can't tie their shoelaces (and even some secondary school kids!) bad hygiene, overweight, reduced concentration and massive amounts of kids diagnosed under DSM-IV with learning difficulties (diet and/or parenting)

The only good result out of this is that those of an older generation can rest more easy, that young 'uns aren't going to turn up and steal their jobs away from them because employers are staring wide eyed at their performance capabilities.

mikelincs

This is probably why some 20% of Americans can't find the USA on a map of the world..

hnd

Don't they think the good old US of A 'is' the world?

Maybe a few of them now know where Eye-ran and Eye-rak and even Afghanistan are.

Probably why one of my previous clients from NYC thought Dubai was a suburb of Baghdad. Perhaps also why another of my previous clients from NYC had never had a passport - at age 55+ and at the time (pre 9/11) drawing down a salary of $500,000+.

On the other hand we've known US expats who've lived in Europe (Germany, Italy, Holland, the UK, France) Hong Kong, the UAE, Oman and are happy to keep travelling and exploring the rest of the world.

kimilseung

'Joined up,'

The dumbing down has already happened.

It's called cursive.

Charismatic

I have no idea what skills are or aren't important for kids. To be honest I don't think it matters beyond literacy and arithmetic. Who cares what they learn as long as they do learn? The biggest problem with schools is that they turn people off learning by trying to make people learn specialist subjects the will never need and aren't interested in.

Is it too much to ask that we could educate people who could think for themselves, solve problems and make a bit of money for the people who employ a bit of money? It's not rocket science.

mikelincs

Surely though, writing IS a basic skill, what the article is about is the fact that children are not being taught to write correctly. It's OK saying that with computer usage writing skills are going out of fashion, but we all still need to write at times.

Beakersful

Which kids exactly are not learning these skills though? If we look at the "Have and Have Not's" principle that appears to be rearing its ugly head, is it just those who aren't private school/Oxbridge/Russel Group educated who are 'lacking' in skills?

If it is, then is the government questioning on our behalf if they need these skills and streamlining their education for a future workforce that has less spent on it (means more money for the "Have's") and is so apathetic they won't fight for a proper education and services?

Boomhauer

I rather schools put more emphasis on block letter writing than cursive writing, might help future doctors' woefully inadequate writing style.