Tradition vs Technology: Cursive is making a comeback in Ontario schools
Come September and teaching of Cursive writing will become compulsory in all Ontario schools. The decision of the Ontario government has met with mixed reaction, as several experts have welcomed it while some organizations of teachers, however, have called it hasty as little or no time has been given to teachers to prepare themselves for the reintroduction of the subject from grade 3 onwards.
Of late there has been an animated debate going on in academic circles over the adverse impact of technology on early child or junior school education. Those opposed to the introduction of technology as part of teaching and learning aids for early child education maintained that the new generation of children do not know how to hold a pen or pencil and are thus unable even to write their names on a piece of paper. They can do it very well on their iPads, laptops, desktops and other gadgets.
Tech-savvy, however, dismiss such assumptions as frivolous and hold that there are software and programs that enable a child to master writing, drawing and painting skills.
Some countries have, however, decided to toe the middle line by providing facilities in both traditional and pen-paper free environs.
Ontario has joined the group of middle liners. Its Education Minister Stephen Lecce says “it is about more than just teaching students how to sign their own name.”
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