Taking notes using keyboards instead of longhand has become common practice. However, while using a keyboard is fast and easy, learning psychology research suggests that laptop note taking is less effective for dexterity and memory than longhand note taking. Note taking by hand is also important because it has lifetime benefits for aging as well as for study and performance results. Note taking by hand vs. using keyboards is a worthy area of study for long term benefit.
In examining the differences, I found a number of studies (see references below) concluding that students who took notes on laptops performed worse on conceptual questions than students who took notes longhand.
Keyboard note takers tend to transcribe lectures and other information verbatim rather than processing information by hand and reframing information in their own words. Keyboard notes are less effective in learning than handwritten notes. In summary, laptop note taking takes the narrative directly from the speaker into the computer, without as much analysis going through the head of the note taker. Handwritten notes more effectively require and provoke thought. So, let’s explore what this means?
Research on the learning psychology of handwritten notes reveals that:
Handwriting boosts memory — Electroencephalogram (EEG) studies show that when learners write words by hand compared with typing there is deeper semantic brain processing, improved word learning and better memory.
Handwriting activates broader brain networks — FMRI studies show that handwriting activates brain regions involved in reading acquisition, whereas typing does much less.
Handwriting supports higher‑order thinking — Learners who handwrite notes engage more in conceptual processing, selecting and synthesizing information rather than transcribing verbatim. This leads to better long‑term understanding, memory, and learning.
My own experience and conclusions are that handwriting engages deeper cognitive processing, more effective memory use, and is actually more of a psychomotor process than keyboard use. Therefore, handwritten notes are more memorable, recallable, and lead to increased learning. In addition, the use of fine motor skills is necessary for learning exercises and to maintain all of the neural networks in the brain. This is particularly significant in aging, since handwriting progressively declines with aging and note taking offers physical therapy to treat the decline. Handwriting itself is an acquired complex cognitive and motor skill resulting from activating and exercising the brain as well as one’s physical capabilities.
While research shows that handwriting is a key practice in support of lifelong learning, most schools no longer teach cursive writing. Yet we know that cursive writing is a key to the development of handwriting, and that lifetime note taking by hand aids in learning, and acts as a therapy for brain and psychomotor fitness. My view is that note taking though cursive writing should be restored in our educational system because of its benefits. In my opinion, cursive writing opportunities, workshops and courses should be offered at the elementary, secondary and higher education levels. It is never too late to achieve some level of improvement.
Keeping up on your use of handwriting is a key to better learning and is an effective physical therapy in aging. Having been an educator and family therapist for more than sixty years, my recommendation is that each of us continue to work on our handwriting, and “keep taking cursive notes for a lifetime!”
