Cursive writing - the new dinosaur?

[Sandy Eggo]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/07/indiana-schools-no-longer_n_892377.html

The link above is connected to a poll re: the schools in the state of Indiana, but because I don't limit myself to news sources such as Farmville, my random thoughts and Fox, I was reading something on PBS which said that a majority of the states are opting to either remove cursive writing from the curriculum or make it optional for the schools. A local newspaper ran a story which received many concerned comments about signatures, etc. However, maybe in the age of digital signatures and finger printing, that might be a thing of the past.

Thoughts? Necessary or not?

[Henry Hawk]

I find it kind of funny you slam others who utilize fox, and then use the HUFFINGTON POST as reliable source, kind of odd..

BUT,

I find it kind of disturbing that cursive handwriting is no longer "appreciated" as time well spent in our classrooms.  Not surprised, but I still find it somewhat disturbing.

[Sandy Eggo]

If you weren't so busy being defensive, then you'd realize that I mentioned several sources. The link I provided was simply the most recent one that I saw. Do you seriously need me to google this and provide multiple reliable sources? 

http://www.google.com/m/search?q=states+cursive+writing&pbx=1&aq=&oq=&aqi=&fkt=&fsdt=&cqt=&rst=&htf=&his=&maction=&ltoken=3b

Now, do you think it's disturbing because you see it as necessary? Or is it disturbing because it's difficult to imagine that education needs have evolved?

[Henry Hawk]

If you weren't so busy being defensive, then you'd realize that I mentioned several sources. The link I provided was simply the most recent one that I saw. Do you seriously need me to google this and provide multiple reliable sources? 

http://www.google.com/m/search?q=states+cursive+writing&pbx=1&aq=&oq=&aqi=&fkt=&fsdt=&cqt=&rst=&htf=&his=&maction=&ltoken=3b

Now, do you think it's disturbing because you see it as necessary? Or is it disturbing because it's difficult to imagine that education needs have evolved?

a little of both....

[Anne]

I think it is a terrible idea, you will always have times when a keyboard is not available and do you really want to be fingerprinted every time you transact some business?

[Palehorse]

I find it unacceptable to be quite frank. In my work I have several "summer students" currently reporting through me. They are required to turn in a hand signed time sheet each day. Several of them have been turning in sheets with their signature on them in printed format. When I asked them about it they replied that it is their signature and then produced their drivers licenses to prove it!

This will make forging the signatures of individuals on legal documents easier to achieve. . . mark my words. . .

[me]

I heard something about that a couple of months back and I, like PH, think it's a bad idea. 

[The Troll]

I heard something about that a couple of months back and I, like PH, think it's a bad idea.

  I think it's a terrible thing.  We got doctors that you can't read their writting.  What do you think we're going to get later.

  It will be as bad as doing away with Phonics in my first and second grade.  You got a bunch of kids who couldn't sound out a word and couldn't spell very good either.  Thank goodness for the kids they put it back in.  One dumb idea.

  Just because it was in Huffington News doesn't make it a lie, Henery.

[Anne]

I think doctors have to go to a special class to learn to write that badly. 

[me]

I think doctors have to go to a special class to learn to write that badly. 

I don't know about that but I'll bet Pharmacists have to take a special class to learn to read it.   

[Sandy Eggo]

I don't know about that but I'll bet Pharmacists have to take a special class to learn to read it.   

No kidding! I had that same thought one day looking at a RX. It looked nothing like what the Dr said the name was, so I told the pharmacist, "It's for XYZ (can't remember now) and he looked up over his glasses and gave me a little grin and said, "I know". I was super impressed.

[The Troll]

No kidding! I had that same thought one day looking at a RX. It looked nothing like what the Dr said the name was, so I told the pharmacist, "It's for XYZ (can't remember now) and he looked up over his glasses and gave me a little grin and said, "I know". I was super impressed.

  I sure hope he does.  What if he gave you Viagra instead of Midols. Hummmm.