With a new school year starting, Domtar Corporation unveiled Project Learning Curve, an effort to increase focus on handwriting and the research that shows how much it benefits students.
As part of Project Learning Curve, Domtar has been working with software developers on an app. that helps connect a digital pen to a computer, allowing teachers to measure students' progress. The teachers can track how long students spend on handwriting, or set classroom goals for students, such as writing enough characters to cross the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a fun way to encourage students to spend more time handwriting, to engage both students and parents, and to help teachers monitor the progress being made at home.
Parents and teachers can learn more about Project Learning Curve and watch a short video at www.paperbecause.com/projectlearningcurve. Anyone with the Anoto pen can also download the free app. Here's where to buy the pen and where to download the application.
"A growing body of research underscores the importance of handwriting and the brain development it stimulates, yet a growing number of classrooms have eliminated handwriting from the curriculum because of the greater availability of technology," said Paige Goff, Domtar's vice president of sustainability and business communications. "Project Learning Curve illustrates how print and pixels can complement each other in the classroom, giving students the best chance of success."