Handwriting and digital writing: antagonism or synergy? #958215

This volume brings together the contributions from the conference of the same name, which posed this question to Italian and international experts from various disciplines: linguists, psychiatrists, graphologists, calligraphers, historians of writing, neuroscientists, and educators. A common thread seems to connect all the contributions: handwriting, particularly cursive writing, is under threat globally, both in terms of learning and practice. Moreover, there is a widespread and creeping sense of obsolescence that now surrounds its perception, even in public opinion, in the face of the “digital deluge” affecting every aspect of social life and educational practices.
On one hand, we have the triumphant civilization of the internet, digital devices, and distance learning, a lifeline for schools during the terrible years of the Covid-19 pandemic, symbols of modernity and progress that have promised and continue to promise more accessible education and easier forms of learning. On the other hand, we have paper, pens, and books, traditional tools for accessing writing and reading, which now seem to rhyme with outdated technologies of the past.
But is this truly the case? Does the digital revolution really lead to better educational outcomes? Are we sure it’s time to retire notebooks, pens, and printed books in favor of keyboards, screens, and digital hypertexts? The findings and studies presented in this volume suggest exactly the opposite, calling instead for a new synthesis between humanistic knowledge and digital technologies that is yet to be fully realized.