Handwriting skills (using a pencil, a pen or a brush) are on decline. What can be the reasons for this? Is it a positive or a negative development?

The two major contributing factors to the gradual decline in handwriting skills are increased focus on learning via multimedia devices in educational institutions and the nature of most office jobs being

PC/laptop

Suggestion

a PC / laptop

based. I think

this

is a positive development as it helps us overcome the disadvantages of storing paperwork in the workplace and the demerits of having a largely book-based education system. The

first

contributing factor is the recent trend in learning without

pencil

Suggestion

a pencil

and

paper

in the classroom, both in schools and universities. Children are encouraged to learn by touch-and-feel and by watching videos or pictures on smart boards.

For instance

, learning chemistry by doing experiments in a lab is a better approach than looking at and learning reaction formulas in textbooks. Plus, University students can engage in discussions and debates rather than take notes, thereby enriching the learning experience greatly. The

second

factor is the change in offices worldwide, which have moved from traditional

paper

and file systems to centrally managed PC networks and systems.

This

has reduced the

paper work

work that involves handling papers: forms or letters or reports etc.

paperwork

to a minimum where all transactions and business interactions take place on a daily basis via email or Skype calls, in the case of remote employees. The decline in handwriting skills is an unfortunate occurrence from the advent of computers in today’s world.

However

,

this

change is positive because of the problems associated with handwriting legibility and storage of handwritten documents. While it is possible to read clear and neat handwritings easily, it is equally impossible with bad handwriting to discern what the writer of the document is trying to say.

Also

, when documents and files are handwritten, they require a lot of physical storage and in the case of old, historic books and documents, special care to prevent degradation of the material due to atmospheric

(

Accept space

(

oxygen) exposure. In conclusion, I believe that a shift from

paper

to PC was inevitable and progressive.

This

shift has enabled workers and students to focus more on knowledge and insight and resolve challenges with ingenuity and innovation.