A student in a classroom writes cursive with a pencil.
NATASHA THIELE:
When I was a kid, getting my pen licence to write in cursive was pretty exciting.
TEACHER:
Well done, Natasha. Here's your pen licence.
NATASHA THIELE:
Thanks, Miss Hutchins. But soon, learning how to write cursive might be as dated as my hairstyle. Before we find out why, let's take a closer look at how cursive came to be so important to begin with.
On-screen caption reads, 'Cursive writing.'
NATASHA THIELE:
Cursive is a style of writing that's been around for thousands of years. An Italian guy from the 15th century named Niccolo Niccoli is said to have invented the style we use today. Kids had to learn it in the old days using pen and ink and back when, say, your grandparents were at school, this is how they learned it.
TEACHER:
The change from script to cursive writing takes place in grade three. This involves a change in slope, it introduces the splice and the change in shape.
A world map with a pin on Finland.
NATASHA THIELE:
But something one European country is doing has people talking about whether we still need it. Finland has decided to scrap cursive handwriting classes in all of its schools from next year. Instead, kids will be taught how to type. The country's education experts reckon typing is more useful in everyday life, especially considering so many of us use technology to communicate.
Students in a classroom writing on sheets of paper.
NATASHA THIELE:
Some Aussie experts agree with Finland. They say cursive writing is outdated and pointless and doesn't improve the way we read and write. There have also been suggestions that kids should now be doing tests and exams on computers, instead of handwriting them. For example, the NAPLAN test will all be done online from next year, which some say could improve results. But not everyone agrees we should scrap cursive. Some say it's a valuable skill to have, especially for things like signatures.
BOY:
Can you please sign this for me?
GIRL:
Um...
Girl puts an X mark on a form in the space for a signature.
A hand writes with an ink pen.
NATASHA THIELE:
It's also a good way of writing neatly and quickly in situations like exams. And some worry replacing cursive with typing lessons might make kids worse at spelling because they can just rely on spell check all the time.
DESRIPTION:
Schoolchildren type on computers.
NATASHA THIELE:
So is the writing on the wall for cursive?
BOY 1:
I just find it more convenient to message on electronics because you get your message through much quicker.
GIRL 1:
I think handwriting is important because we're not using devices all the time.
BOY 2:
Some people would be so reliant on computers being able to spell check and correct all your mistakes that they might forget how to spell things and write neatly.
GIRL 2:
I suck at typing, but I also suck at writing. So it's either-either really.