With primary school pupils’ increased usage of electronic devices, questions have been raised about whether handwriting is no longer a focus of teachers.

Research from Charles Sturt University showed today’s teachers were less confident teaching handwriting than their forbears.

However, Deakin University Warrnambool’s education school co-ordinator Terri Redpath said teachers had not lost the art of penmanship.

“The AusVels curriculum expects foundation to level two teachers to teach correct posture and pencil grip for handwriting so that children write legibly using linear patterns,” she said. 

“Our students are taught to support early learners to construct letters, use upper and lower case forms and use correct word spacing.”

Ms Redpath argues handwriting has not been superseded by electronic learning tools.

“Handwriting is not overlooked but it is a part of the writing process that needs to be taught – not the only aspect,” she said. “Tools additional to pen and page are exciting additions to enable students  to express ideas,” she said. “Does this mean handwriting is not taught? – Not at all. The curriculum includes it together with other relevant communication skills.”

St Joseph’s Primary School teacher Clare Stacey agrees.

“Pen and paper is still key,” she said. “There is a need to be able to manipulate a word, to break it down, you can’t do that on a computer.”

Mrs Stacey has seen many changes in her 20-year teaching career, but believes handwriting is a skill that is “making a comeback”.

“In the last couple of years I believe we’ve gone back to focusing on handwriting,” she said. “We seem to be returning to the basics.”

Deakin Warrnambool Bachelor of Education student Marcia Miller said handwriting was still a focus for future classrooms.

“I have personally taught handwriting during my placement at Warrnambool Primary School,” she said.

“I believe Warrnambool Primary highly values handwriting, particularly in the younger years.”

“I think it’s still incredibly important for students to develop excellent handwriting skills at primary school.”

The 25 year old future teacher recalls learning the same skills during her own schooling at Terang College.

“Yes I can still remember getting my pen license in grade 4,” she said.