Does Handwriting still matter?

Ladies and Gentlemen the topic I have chosen today is Whether handwriting really
matters? We live in a day of technology, where typing and speech recognition is taking
us away from our fountain pens, pencils and rollerballs. Are some of us just too old
fashioned or technophobes that we still write and think and prepare with paper and pen?
Some Educators are saying so and schools are focusing more on keyboard skills. But
research is telling us different and I hope by the end of my short talk I will answer this
question.
The great Author Philosopher and founder of the scientific method Francis
Bacon said Reading maketh a full man; speaking a ready man; and writing an
exact man. And today I want to focus on the third of those activities.
My research on this subject has produced at least three reasons why you should not
completely abandon your pen and paper for digital technology. Though there are more
reasons I have focused on three due to the short time available to us. You will
immediately recognize these as vital markers of success. I propose to you 3 Crucial
benefits of Handwriting. They are the Calmness, Concentration and Cultivation.
Firstly writing
Calms our mind: Writing slows the mind down to be more meditative . Dr. Marc Seifer,
an expert on handwriting says that Writing a calming sentence is a form of
graphotherapy, Seifer says. Jotting down a sentence like, "I will be more peaceful" at
least 20 times per day can actually have an impact, especially on those with attention
deficit disorder.
"This actually calms the person down and retrains the brain," Seifer says. Being calm and
reflective is a crucial predictor of a success and health in a world of stress.
Secondly writing
Concentrates our attention: It engages the filter of your reticular activating system
and teaches you to focus. Focus is a skill that is highly needed in an age of distraction.
In her book write it down make it happen, Henriette Anne Klauser says that "Writing
triggers the RAS, which in turn sends a signal to the cerebral cortex: Wake up! Pay
attention! Don't miss this detail!'
Thirdly and finally writing
Cultivates our Intelligence the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe and your motor cortex.
The linked regions of the brain for reading are activated while writing by hand, but not
while typing or texting. The Wall street Journal says that doctors are beginning to
recommend handwriting to be a good cognitive exercise for baby boomers working to
keep their minds sharp as they age.
"One key difference is movement. That involves the motor cortex of the brain, so ... you
are using more of the brain then when you simply type.
So I want to encourage you to get pen and notebook and empower yourself with the
simple and powerful skill and habit through handwriting and discover why the pen is
mightier than the sword