The current study investigates the applications of the pinyin input system, a Chinese word processing method, for writing on Facebook in order to help CFL (Chinese as a foreign language) learners from two Irish universities to improve their handwriting in Chinese characters on paper. The data were collected from writing activities conducted over…

As handwriting instruction is abandoned by the schools, the legibility of written communications will continue to decline. (JH)

Problems in handwriting research are related either to the total design of classroom instruction or to specific factors (e.g., position, letter formation). Problems of general design to be researched are the relation of handwriting practice to a student's general writing, identification of the most productive methods of practicing writing problems…

A survey of studies on handwriting is undertaken in this research review. Sources of information on the history of handwriting from its earliest beginnings to present attitudes toward it are indicated. Also discussed are research findings on the handwriting act (hand movement, handwriting instruments, and penmanship), the handwriting product (in…

The importance of tidy, legible handwriting which effectively communicates ideas may be made evident to students through the use of purposeful, realistic writing situations. The writing of letters, diaries, poems, and invitations may provide a beneficial use of time and motivate students to improve their handwriting. The teacher can develop in…

Pupils using a moving model of letter formation in the form of a flipbook demonstrate higher skill improvement than do students using a still model. (CJ)

The many everyday needs for manuscript writing--signs, maps, graphs, and posters--and the fact that it retains its legibility better than does cursive writing suggest the need for the continued use of manuscript beyond grades 1 and 2. Also, manuscript writing is preferable to cursive writing for children with poor coordination or spelling…

In a study, kindergarten and third grade students were given handwriting copying practice using different perceptual prompts to reproduce model letter forms. Results indicate that groups trained with perceptual prompts produced more accurate reproductions. (Author/JN)

Offers a method for teaching penmanship whereby the different strokes of a penmanship exercise are used to illustrate the action in a story. Presents some story lines and shows how they may be adapted to imaginative penmanship drills that will hold the children's interest. (HTH)

Children become frustrated in learning cursive writing, says the author, who offers some helpful suggestions. (Editor/RK)

Finger-snapping, toe-tapping music is a prelude to penmanship practice. (Editor)

Reviews research on handwriting instruction that focuses on these questions: (1) Do learners need particular writing instruments and paper? (2) Should educators encourage students to trace or copy? and (3) How can educators evaluate learners' writing? Offers implications and suggestions for handwriting instruction. (BB)

Based on a year's work with 16 second grade students, this two-part paper reports the successful use of the Marathon Writing (continuous writing for short periods on a regular basis) strategy in encouraging beginning writers to write independently. The first part of the paper explains the technique of marathon writing, and notes that even though…

Examines early stages in children's handwriting, emphasizing the importance of teaching correct letter formation. Recommends (1) individual initial assessment and formative assessment throughout the teaching program; (2) teaching based on individual children's errors; and (3) careful observation of individual children in the process of writing.…