Today’s digital world can tempt us away from taking notes by hand with pen and paper in favor of laptops or tablets; although typing may offer speed and convenience over writing by hand. Research suggests, however, that writing by hand provides unique cognitive advantages which typing simply cannot match.

As you consider how best to record and process information, it’s wise to investigate both neurological and psychological benefits associated with handwriting versus typing. In this article we look at five key cognitive advantages associated with writing notes by hand that might give learning, memory and creative thinking an edge.

5 Cognitive Benefits of Writing by Hand vs. Typing Notes

As society evolves towards technology-dominated solutions, handwritten notes may often get neglected for typing them out instead. But recent studies have demonstrated the numerous cognitive advantages to handwritten note taking over typing them out; we will take a look at five benefits of handwritten versus typed out notes below.

Writing by hand engages more of our senses and motor skills, creating a stronger link between our thoughts and the written word. This multisensory experience helps embed information more deeply in our memories so it’s easier to recall later.

Handwriting engages different parts of the brain than typing does, potentially unlocking more creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Furthermore, writing by hand allows more time for reflection as new thoughts form in our heads.

By exploring its many benefits, we will gain greater insight into how changing note-taking habits can profoundly transform both cognitive processes and learning outcomes.

Writing by Hand Increases Memory and Understanding

Writing is more than a task; when we note something on paper we engage in an activity which greatly expands our cognitive capacities. Engaging the fine motor system to produce letters by hand has positive ramifications on learning and memory formation as well as activation of neural pathways essential for comprehending new information and remembering past ones.

Research findings supporting cognitive benefits of writing by hands vs typing notes

This assertion is supported by Science.

According a research finding conducted by Audrey Van Der Meer and Ruun Van Der Weel at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in 2014 laid a precedent with a proof.

Another survey finding by the famous Guardian newspaper discovered that writing by hands have numerous advantages over the computer.

Forming each letter and word forces your brain to work harder than typing; this increased mental effort leads to better retention of material, studies showing that students who take handwritten notes typically outperform those taking typed ones on tests when it comes to conceptual understanding.

Writing requires slowing down and processing information more carefully, helping your brain filter and prioritize relevant details for greater comprehension and recall. Instead of just transcribing content, writing requires active engagement with it!

Writing by hand often forces us to paraphrase and summarize information in our own words, helping to cement it more fully into memory and facilitate review more successfully later on. Your unique handwriting also serves as visual cues which trigger recall when revisiting notes later.

Writing by Hand Increases Focus and Attention

The act of writing by hand may seem archaic in today’s digital era, yet its unique cognitive advantages cannot be rivaled by typing. Engaging your brain by placing pen to paper engages your focus and attention centers more quickly to produce results than typing notes alone could do; handwritten notes help process information much quicker while typing notes help capture it even faster than handwritten ones can!

Writing requires greater concentration than typing; each letter formed requires your mind to become attuned with what’s being created, while mindful engagement helps filter out distractions so you can immerse yourself fully in whatever task lies ahead of you.

Writing can help improve retention as the physical act is slower. By giving your mind time to process information more slowly, writing allows it to sink in more deeply resulting in enhanced comprehension and retention of material; not simply transcribing, but actively learning as well!

Handwriting activates your Reticular Activity System (RAS), an area in the base of the brain stem responsible for filtering and prioritizing information. By engaging this system, it becomes more likely that you’ll remember what you wrote while staying on task, thus helping cement new knowledge into long-term memory storage.

Writing Things Down Can Aid Learning and Creativity

When you write things down by hand, you engage multiple senses and motor skills simultaneously. This multi-sensory approach activates different parts of your brain, leading to improved cognitive processing. 

The physical act of writing helps cement information in your memory, making it easier to recall later. Additionally, the slower pace of handwriting compared to typing allows your brain more time to process and internalize the information.

Handwriting engages your Reticular Activating System (RAS), an intricate network of neurons in your brain stem that filters information. By engaging the RAS through writing, you focus your attention and spark creative thought, leading to innovative ideas or novel solutions to problems! 

Furthermore, the freedom to doodle, draw diagrams, or create mind maps while writing by hand can further enhance your creative output and problem-solving abilities.

Studies have demonstrated that students taking handwritten notes tend to perform better on tests and retain information longer than their counterparts taking typed notes. Writing by hand encourages summarizing, paraphrasing and outlining information rather than transcribing verbatim, leading to deeper comprehension as well as increased long-term memory retention of concepts.

The Physical Act of Writing Promotes Idea Generation

When you write by hand, you’re not just thinking, you’re feeling the pen glide across the paper, hearing the scratch of graphite or ink, and seeing your thoughts materialize before your eyes. This multi-sensory experience engages more areas of your brain than typing, potentially sparking new connections and ideas!

Handwriting may appear slower than typing at first glance; however, its deliberate pace actually works to your benefit as your mind has more time to process information for deeper reflection and analysis. Slower speeds also allow more thoughtful, creative insights which might otherwise go unseen when rapidly typing.

Unlike the rigid structure of typed text, handwritten notes offer freedom in spatial arrangement. You can draw arrows, create mind maps, or sketch diagrams alongside your text. This visual-spatial element can help you see relationships between ideas more clearly, potentially leading to innovative connections and fresh perspectives.

Handwriting Improves Expression and Retention

Writing by hand engages you in a more deliberate, considered, and intentional process which allows your brain to process information more deeply resulting in improved comprehension and retention of information. While writing each letter by hand, your mind actively connects with it creating stronger neural pathways which facilitate memory formation.

Handwriting stimulates areas of the brain associated with creativity and critical thinking. The physical act of pen on paper promotes more fluid thought processes that enable ideas to flow more freely, leading to breakthrough insights or connections between concepts that would otherwise not happen when typing alone.

Studies have demonstrated that students taking notes by hand tend to retain information better. Writing by hand allows you to summarize and paraphrasing information more quickly in your own words, which helps cement concepts into long-term memory and ensure you recall this knowledge later. This practice, known as desirable difficulty, increases recall capabilities of later retrieving the same material.

Wait a moment!
Before you leave, could you take just 3 minutes to browse through some frequently asked questions on this topic?

What are Cognitive Benefits of Writing by Hand vs. Typing Notes?

There are several cognitive advantages to writing by hand, including enhanced memory, improved comprehension, better retention, and deeper assimilation of information.

While the choice between handwriting and typing ultimately depends on individual preference, research by Mueller, P.A., and Oppenheimer, D.M. (2014) demonstrates that writing by hand significantly engages the brain’s cognitive processes. Studies conducted at the University of California and Princeton University found that students who wrote notes by hand not only retained more information but also performed better on conceptual tests.

Handwriting stimulates neural pathways and activates the sympathetic nervous system, enhancing memory and comprehension. These processes contribute to improved cognitive performance, particularly in tasks requiring deeper understanding and critical thinking.

Key Reference:

• Mueller, P.A., & Oppenheimer, D.M. (2014). The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking. Psychological Science.

Does Writing Help Memory More Than Typing?

Empathically yes. What informs this claim? Writing has direct contact with neurological pathways connecting to our sympathetic nerval system to our brain for better memory and retention.

Any research references for this claim? Yes, according to Van der Meer, A. L. H., & Van der Weel, F. R. (2017). a study at the Norwegian university of science and technology supports this claim. It found that writing by hand requires neurological wringing involving tactile and motor skills that coordinates neural connections.

Key Reference:

• Van der Meer, A. L. H., & Van der Weel, F. R. (2017). Only Three Fingers Write, but the Whole Brain Works: A High-Density EEG Study Showing Advantages of Drawing Over Typing for Learning. Frontiers in Psychology.

Do Writing Things Down Helps You Remember – But by How Much?

Conservatively between 20%-50% depending on the material. Studies has it that hand written notes enhance better organization of ideas helping us to retain in the long run.

Our hands are part of our body parts, as such, our nerves, tissues and muscles work together with our brain neurons to transmit signals, understand concepts and ideas far better than typing which has more interface with eternal devices

References:

Smoker, T.J., Murphy, C.E., & Rockwell, A. (2009). Comparing Memory for Handwritten Versus Typed Words. Journal of Research in Reading, 32(2), 200–217.

What are the Psychological Benefits of Writing by Hand.

They are: Boost in creativity, increase in concentration, and improvement in recalling of facts.

Boost in creativity: Writing by hand involving both the brain and the hands, the activities of neurons help to activate brain’s cognitive functions.

Increase in concentration. Writing is exercise in a relaxed manner, enabling us maintain laser focus on our activity.

Retention of facts: We retain and recall facts better when we engage in writing by hand.

·  Mangen, A., & Velay, J.-L. (2010). Digitizing Literacy: Reflections on the Haptics of Writing. Educational Research Review, 5(2), 162–176.
Summary: This paper explores how handwriting activates sensorimotor processes that enhance focus, creativity, and stress relief, compared to typing.

·  Baikie, K. A., & Wilhelm, K. (2005). Emotional and Physical Health Benefits of Expressive Writing. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 11(5), 338–346.

Conclusion

As you consider different note taking methods, keep handwriting in mind: it offers unique cognitive advantages that typing cannot match. From improved memory retention and deeper conceptual understanding to enhanced creativity and focus, writing by hand engages your brain powerfully compared to digital tools; don’t discount its worth!

By incorporating handwritten notes into your routine, you can tap into these cognitive advantages and potentially boost your learning and productivity.