It makes sense to me, considering I have only used it to sign my name.

Indiana Schools Can Stop Teaching Cursive:

quote Who still writes in cursive? That age-old writing method you might never have used since fourth grade will no longer be taught in Indiana schools come fall, thanks to a memo from school officials. Instead, students will be expected to become proficient in keyboard use. Seems like a smart move as being able to type efficiently is a vital skill in today's world, as opposed to knowing how to write cursive, which — like being able to churn butter and knowing how to hitch a horse to a wagon — is no longer needed. But it might not mean the end of cursive entirely in the state. The directive from the state's Department of Education allows schools to decide for themselves whether to continue teaching cursive or disband the archaic practice altogether. NewsFeed has just one question: How will Indiana's students know how to sign their name?

But dang it, I feel like all the time it took to be taught how to do it was just wasted. But then, LOTS of what they taught us in school was a waste of time...

Evidently, someone somewhere saw my handwriting and decided against any more tax payers having to contribute to such abject ugliness in the future..

I still write in cursive, and thats even AFTER the military tried to beat it out of me. (Lower case letters, too.)

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Evidently, someone somewhere saw my handwriting and decided against any more tax payers having to contribute to such abject ugliness in the future..

No they saw mine and thought it was alien writing.

Steve

------------------
Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.

Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

Never used cursive other than in school (while learning it). I guess I sign my signiture in cursive....sorta....it's more an unreadable scribble more than actual letters.

When I'm forced to actually write with pen(cil) and paper, I write a funky hybrid of cursive and printing and it looks like someone gave a writing utensil to a half drunk monkey...

My wife writes in cursive all the time. Sometimes, when she writes her dreaded lists, I'll ask her what somethings says since I can't read it. A lot of times
her response is 'I have no idea' Yippie...one less thing for me to do!

Doug

Some of the worst scores I recieved in grade school were for handwriting (printing or cursive)... and it never got any better. Even today most consider my scribbles illegible and sometime it is even to me.

They have to make more room in the curriculum for this.

I guess it isn't too bad. They don't teach calligraphy in school anymore either.


.

[This message has been edited by Doug85GT (edited 07-07-2011).]

Does this mean that doctors will have to print their prescriptions?

quote Originally posted by spark1: Does this mean that doctors will have to print their prescriptions?

Most already do. They just email them to the pharmacy or print them out.

quote Originally posted by Formula88: Most already do. They just email them to the pharmacy or print them out.

Exactly right. I RARELY get to write out a prescription any more.


HOWEVER, what in the world? Like it is SO HARD to have a little kid learn cursive. Like they already aren't going to spend infinity time on a keyboard. Like the youth of today could NEVER be expected to learn cursive AND to use a keyboard!!!! Come on. Are you trying to KILL the kids? SO demanding.

What a joke.


Now someone like fieroguru is right. Don't make it a big grading deal. On the other hand, teach the blessed skill.

When I was in pharmacy school, and when I worked a couple of years at it while in medical school, it was a kind of GAME to try to figure out what the handwriting said! In all humility, I was pretty awesome and deciphering the hieroglyphics that was some doctor's handwriting.

I wonder how long before shorthand goes away?
It'll probably be replaced by "text speak" in block letters.

quote Originally posted by frontal lobe: Exactly right. I RARELY get to write out a prescription any more. .

Thank Christ

quote Originally posted by frontal lobe: When I was in pharmacy school, and when I worked a couple of years at it while in medical school, it was a kind of GAME to try to figure out what the handwriting said! In all humility, I was pretty awesome and deciphering the hieroglyphics that was some doctor's handwriting.

I asked my GP for a persciption with refills for my pain meds at one of my last visits. HTF does anyine ever read a doctors hand written script? Hieroglyphics would be easier to figure out. I understand why they type them into the computer, because everyone I have ever seen the pharmacy had to call the doctor to make sure they were reading the right thing.

Steve

------------------
Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.

Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

I have always written in Zaner Bloser cursive... not sure I know how to print.

well, it doesnt have a whole lot of uses anymore. but, this will turn it into a skill. something most folk cant do. which is likely the case now. it seems most males cannot write in cursive anyways.

so, how will signatures be formed in the future?
edit: or is this part of the plan to eliminate the signature for fingerprints?

[This message has been edited by Pyrthian (edited 07-08-2011).]

quote Originally posted by 84fiero123: HTF does anyine ever read a doctors hand written script? Hieroglyphics would be easier to figure out. I understand why they type them into the computer, because everyone I have ever seen the pharmacy had to call the doctor to make sure they were reading the right thing. Steve

Well, being on both sides of it, I ALWAYS made sure my hand written prescriptions we clear and EASILY read. Some of that is just living a principle: make life EASIER for other people, not harder.

Regarding reading them, many times I could figure out what the scribbles and scratches were DUE TO CONTEXT. Knowing that it was a drug name helped give you an idea. Asking the person what it was for would give a clue. And putting the pieces together, coming to a 100% confidence conclusion. If it couldn't be 100%, then it would mean a phone call.
I don't know. I still do SOME writing. Notes to family members. To do lists. What? When other people are doing those, are they printing instead of using cursive?

quote Originally posted by turbotoad: Never used cursive other than in school (while learning it). I guess I sign my signiture in cursive....sorta....it's more an unreadable scribble more than actual letters.

Same with me on both counts.

I print most of my notes, etc. at work unless I'm trying to write in a hurry, then I use cursive.
I also use cursive for handwritten personal correspondence.

I write in cursive, unless I'm writing information on an official document, in which case I'll use all uppercase letters. I have really good handwriting when I write print; it's really neat and legible, but it is too big and takes too long to write. My cursive is also very neat; it looks like a more legible late 1700's document.. I'm proud of my handwriting

I agree on using cursive on personal notes. A typed note is just not as friendly and hand printed note indicates uneducated to me in that context.

quote Originally posted by theBDub: I write in cursive, unless I'm writing information on an official document, in which case I'll use all uppercase letters. I have really good handwriting when I write print; it's really neat and legible, but it is too big and takes too long to write. My cursive is also very neat; it looks like a more legible late 1700's document.. I'm proud of my handwriting

So you write your name in all caps to reference yourself as a legal fiction?

My writing is kind of a mix of both cursive and block letters....always has been. I caught a lot of flak in school because of that, as I recall.

My signature is completely illegible! I've been accused of just wiggling a pen on the paper and saying "to Hell with it!"

quote Originally posted by Formula88: So you write your name in all caps to reference yourself as a legal fiction?

I Googled legal fiction because I don't know what that means, and it still isn't clear.
I'm saying when work or whatever has be write my name, address, etc, I use all capital printed letters because they are the most legible by anyone.
I sign my name in cursive, of course.

What's the big deal? I know we're in the age of computers (I've had one since I was 5), but why stop cursive writing? It's not like they're going to fill that time with more beneficial information to teach. Seems to me that the only thing this is going to do is make these children less competitive. I can't imagine seeing a piece of paper written in English, and not be able to read it... that would be REALLY unfortunate.

I think kids need to learn MORE stuff, not less.

This is totally stupid.

I still mainly use cursive. It's especially useful for imbedding secret details and comments that the younger kids can't read.

I have two signatures: One is clearly written and I use it for when it's something I think is important - the other is a T and a line for when I am wondering why in the hell you need my signature. There, that sorta looks like my signature. I do have the rarely used straight line which is an indication I am close to beating you about the head and shoulders with the paper. There, you don't even deserve the T. Now get the f out of here.

[This message has been edited by TK (edited 07-08-2011).]