There is much technology in our school systems today. Teachers are using up-to-date technology such as Promethean boards and iPads in grades as young as kindergarten. The technology is helpful in the classroom if used correctly but also eliminates the need for learning certain skills; one of those skills being cursive writing.

Cursive writing was taught when I was in grade school but I’m not entirely sure if teachers still teach it anymore. If they do, it’s probably a dying tradition. I can remember that as a student, a lot of my classmates hated writing in cursive. They complained that it was hard, or that they simply didn’t understand how to make certain letters. I, on the other hand, liked cursive for the most part, except for when some of the letters were hard to draw.

With all the technology we have today, and how many things can be done online or with a computer, kids don’t need to learn to write in cursive much anymore. It’s hardly legible for most people, and printing is easier. And that’s what we’re all about in the country, isn’t it? We want things to be quick and easy.  Students will be able to do homework online or type up their papers to turn in on the computer. There’s not much need for handwriting in general anymore. I take notes in class by hand, but many people use their computers for that as well.

I will be sad to see cursive writing go, if schools stop teaching it. I always thought it was pretty and it’s an interesting piece of our culture to leave behind. However, if we need to think of being practical, cursive writing will have to go. I’d encourage parents to teach their children cursive at home; it would be nice to keep the tradition alive.