The benefits of writing by hand.
I’ve been noticing a change happening at work. It started with one co-worker and then the next and the next and finally our CEO. They were all replacing their laptops with journals or writing tablets in our meeting rooms. When I’ve inquired why the change, many said it gave them more freedom to write, draw and connect thoughts in the moment. They also said it helped them to remember things and understand new concepts.
It turns out their instincts have scientific backing. Studies show that handwriting increases brain activity in memory and learning.
“We found that the brain works completely differently when you are using your hand to draw or write, as opposed to using a keyboard.” – Audry Van de Meer, researcher of a 2024 study in Frontiers in Psychology.
In fact, unique neural pathways are utilized when writing with a pen or pencil vs. typing, leading to higher conceptual understanding. Why is this?
Well, there are a couple of things at play.
When typing notes, most people type what they hear verbatim (even when they are specifically asked not to). They focus on the words rather than the concepts being presented. And, since they are on a device, there is a tendency to multitask or get distracted by other information on the device.
When writing notes by hand, people tend to summarize the important points in their own words, pictures and equations and connect ideas with lines, arrows and symbols. They prioritize, consolidate and try to relate it to things they’ve learned before. So, conceptual understanding takes place while putting pen to paper, and synthesizing information in this fashion actually helps you to remember it.
How your brain works - Using a high-density (EEG) “bathing cap,” Van de Meer measured brain activity between typing notes and writing notes. Handwriting created “widespread, synchronized brain activity across regions linked to memory and learning, while typing produced substantially weaker patterns or neural engagement.” Van de Meer explained that “the fine motor coordination required for handwriting activates more complex, multisensory neural pathways, creating stronger memory imprints.”
While digital media is certainly the foundation of the modern workplace, it’s worth considering hand writing when it comes to collaborative meetings and learning opportunities at work. It may better help you pay attention to what is being conveyed, process information more deliberately and understand and recall the information more readily. Try it out and let me know if you notice a difference.