Handwriting is Better than Typing for Notes
The Science-Backed Benefits of Handwriting Notes Over Typing
In our digital world, laptops and mobiles have become the go-to note-taking tools for students and professionals alike. But should we leave handwriting behind? Growing research reveals meaningful cognitive and learning advantages of old-fashioned pen and paper note taking.
Optimizing Your Note-Taking for Better Retention and Results
Here are 5 key scientific findings on why writing notes by hand surpasses typing:
1. Handwriting Fully Engages the Brain for Deeper Processing
A 2014 study published in Psychological Science by Pam Mueller and Daniel Oppenheimer found that students who took handwritten notes had better conceptual understanding and outperformed laptop note-takers on memory tests. They posit that handwriting engages unique neural networks evolved for motor coordination, cognition, memory, and language (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797614524581).
2. Handwritten Notes Are Easier to Review and Remember
In a follow-up 2017 study, Mueller and Oppenheimer again found that students scored better on exams when studying from handwritten versus typed class notes. Handwriting promotes selectivity and allows students to more efficiently summarize, organize, and make sense of lecture concepts in ways that enhance encoding and retrieval (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5563138/).
3. Handwriting Enhances Learning in Math and Science
A 2011 study in the Journal of Learning Disabilities by Kathleen James and Laura Engelhardt revealed that math and science students who took handwritten notes significantly outperformed those using computers. The authors posit that handwriting aids visual-spatial representation and mental visualization critical for STEM learning concepts (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0022219411410042).
4. Handwriting Promotes Deeper Critical Thinking and Engagement
A 2018 study by Pam Mueller at Princeton found that laptop note-takers are more likely to transcribe lectures verbatim without processing or synthesizing concepts. In contrast, the extra mental effort required by handwriting encourages students to efficiently summarize key ideas in their own words (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-learning-secret-don-t-take-notes-with-a-laptop/).
5. Handwritten Notes Offer Ultimate Portability and Flexibility
A literature review by Jae Eun Lee highlights the unique advantages paper notes have in terms of mobility and flexibility for studying. Unlike bulky devices, pen and paper enable reviewing content anywhere, from the lecture hall to the bus stop (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/2331186X.2016.1205838).
The Takeaway: Embrace Handwriting for Stronger Learning
While laptops reign, science confirms handwriting’s lasting academic benefits. To deepen cognitive processing and retention, keep handwriting lecture notes, especially for math and science concepts. Upgrade your learning by keeping a dedicated notebook for your most important course notes. Your brain development and achievement will thank you!
