Yes, it is still important to learn cursive writing today. Although it is more convenient to type or even dictate notes to an AI assistant, cursive writing actually has several benefits to that none of today's modern devices can replace.
First, studies have shown that cursive writing helps us learn better. In a recent study entitled "The Pen is Mightier than the Keyboard", researchers found that students who use cursive writing to take down notes perform better with conceptual questions that those who type them using their laptops. This is because cursive writing forces students to be more focused and deliberate with what they write, such that they practice more critical thinking. Compared to those who use their laptops, the understanding is shallower because they have the tendency to transcribe lectures, rather than process them. In this sense, learning is more efficient and effective.
Another branch of research supporting this is in the field of haptics. According to Psychology Today, cursive writing can actually make you smarter because of the interaction between our brain function, hand movements, and touch when we write cursive. This is because compared to regular writing, "the movement tasks are more demanding, the letters are less stereotypical, and the visual recognition requirements create a broader repertoire of letter representation.” In other words, the intricate strokes required to write cursive challenges our brain more, thus allowing us to enhance our neural activities and use both the creative and logical sides of the brain.
Second, cursive writing has been known to help writers communicate and write better. Believe it or not, there is research that supports the theory that improving the quality of your cursive can also improve the quality of your written work, such that as your cursive gets better, your writing is likely to get better too.
It's also important to note that writing is more than just typing, it requires careful composition, which in turn requires focus. Unfortunately, it is difficult to compose a story or organize your thoughts when you are on a laptop because your machine was not designed to improve your focus. Fire up your laptop and immediately you are presented with distractions like email, instant notifications, and that new game sitting in the dock.
Third, cursive writing has been shown to help improve creativity and express individuality. Cursive writing is both an artistic and personal endeavor. Just think of all the different ways people who write cursively represent the letter "i". Some add their femininity by replacing the dot with hearts, some draw it with a slant, and others ramrod straight. The same goes with the flourishes added in the beginning and ending of words, an extra curve, the variations between thick and think strokes, all these give cursive writers an outlet to express their creativity.
And finally, one of the reasons we should still learn cursive is it's ability to help individuals with learning disabilities. There is research that suggests cursive writing may open a path to treating dyslexia. While reading letters on the written page or screen may look the same for those who suffer from dyslexia, they are vastly different in cursive. Thus, educators can use it as a teaching aid to help them.
Thus, although some people say cursive is an antiquated form of writing, it is still important even in today's society. And while it's easier to type, or take a picture of things you want to take note, the benefits of cursive still outweigh it "antiquatedness", and not learning it, especially among kids today, will be robbing them of its vast benefits.
Sources:
- What's lost as handwriting fades? https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/science/whats-lost-as-handwriting-fades.html.
- Why writing by hand could make you smarter. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/memory-medic/201303/why-writing-hand-could-make-you-smarter
- The Pen is Mightier than the Keyboard. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797614524581
- A defense of writing longhand. https://lifehacker.com/5684918/a-defense-of-writing-longhand