The effect of writing modality on recollection in children and adolescents

Abstract

We set out to assess the extent to which writing modality affects recollection in children and adolescents. We examined 10-to 11-year-old children's (N = 63) and 16-year-old adolescents' (N = 43) handwriting, keyboarding with a laptop computer and keyboarding with a touchscreen tablet computer or mobile phone in a within-subjects experimental design. Participants were instructed to write down stories dictated to them in the three writing modalities. Recollection of the stories was assessed using free recall of details in the stories. The results indicate that the writing modality affects recollection, handwriting leading to better recollection. However, currently, digital writing tools are inundating classrooms and workplaces around the globe, making their competent use a necessity in today's world. For example, in Finland, students are obligated to use a laptop in upper secondary education and in the national final examination. In light of the results, we highlight the importance of balancing the instruction and practice of different writing modalities. Given the limitations of this study, we suggest conducting a larger-scale study and further research on the educational and cognitive implications of using and learning to write using multiple writing modalities.

Using a genre-based writing method in the distance education classroom

“…While the participants generally preferred to write with a keyboard on the computer, only one participant said that he preferred to write with a pen and paper. This was in line with the results of Frangou et al (2019), Mangen et al (2015) and Özdemir (2021). The participants stated that they used an online dictionary while writing the text, but they only translated words, not sentences and paragraphs.…”

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“…They rationalized it, stating they were more familiar with touch screens due to frequent texting. Mangen et al (2015) and Frangou et al (2019) stated that the contribution of touchpads to certain cognitive skills is correlated with experience. However, this study revealed that hand-writing was found most beneficial over keyboard and touch-screen.…”

El desarrollo de la escritura en niños: Revisión sistemática

“…Las estrategias de escritura a mano, el uso del teclado en una computadora portátil y el uso del teclado en una tableta con pantalla táctil o en un teléfono móvil afecta el recuerdo, mientras que la escritura a mano conduce a un mejor recuerdo. Sin embargo, actualmente, las herramientas de escritura digital están inundando las aulas y los lugares de trabajo de todo el mundo, lo que hace que su uso competente sea una necesidad en el mundo actual (S. Frangou et al ,2019). En ese sentido se requiere de evaluaciones de alfabetización temprana para que pueden identificar a niños que experimentan dificultades en la escritura, además de desafíos en la lectura temprana.…”