Students no longer want to use pens: Are keyboards taking their place?

In the past, writing brought to mind paper, pens, ink, and upright, cursive, or slanted handwriting. Today, these have begun to give way to computers and keyboards. Children of the new generation also want to write with keyboards instead of using pens. Parents, in particular, state that they have difficulty getting their children to do their homework. However, writing by hand is very important in a child's development, as it improves both their motor skills and their creativity.

Stating that writing is the most important point in the history of communication, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlknur Doğu Öztürk said, "Writing, which has a physical contribution related to motor skills, is quite important due to its contributions to creativity, thinking, and expression. However, as digital technologies transform habits and place screens in the leading role in our lives, handwriting has begun to be preferred less than before. This has resulted in children losing interest in using pens. Now, writing by touching a tablet or phone is more appealing."

Pointing out that the weakening of the habit of writing with a pen could lead to a weakening of the link between writing and thought, Öztürk said, "Handwriting is a fundamental skill that is important for children's self-expression and creativity. The weakening of this skill could lead to the standardization of written communication. It is also a fact that it will have a negative impact on adherence to language and spelling rules."

Öztürk explained that in the coming years, writing might only be important for official paperwork, literature, and activities related to art.

Educational Sociologist Prof. Dr. Tunay Kamer stated that children's preference for not using pens is directly related to their familiarity with digital tools and the convenience these tools provide, and spoke as follows:

"In traditional education systems, writing with a pen is a tool for knowledge transfer. Furthermore, because it supports motor skills such as hand-eye coordination and conceptual learning, it improves memory and creativity, such as drawing pictures or writing stories. Given the importance of such skills, it does not seem very likely that writing with a pen will be completely abandoned anytime soon."

"However, the spread of digital learning platforms and their replacement by tools such as tablets and smart pens may limit the use of the traditional pen. In the digital world, tools such as voice commands and AI-supported note-taking applications are increasingly being adopted instead of writing. This may make the habit of writing less necessary. However, the writing experience can be sustained digitally through digital devices that mimic the feel of pen and paper."

Explaining that handwriting helps children develop a unique identity, Kamer said, "The fact that every individual's handwriting is different encourages personal expression and individuality. Moreover, a typed letter or note may offer a more intimate connection experience than digital alternatives. For this reason, from a cultural and artistic perspective, it is unlikely that the pen will be completely forgotten. On the other hand, correcting mistakes or rephrasing an idea while writing increases a child's cognitive flexibility. Writing with a pen allows children to develop their skills in editing and organizing their writing. This feedback may ensure the survival of the pen."