[nradov]

Oh how I hated having to learn cursive when I was in school. What an utter waste of limited instructional time that could have been better spent on mathematics or science or touch typing or creative writing or literally any other subject. If some students really want to learn calligraphy then make it an art elective but don't torture the rest of us.

[bdangubic]

touch typing is about as useful as … (whatever is the most useless thing). science? I spent years in science classes from elem all the way through uni, physics, chemistry, thermodynamics, you name it, about as useful to me (and 99.6% of my classmates) as russian I learned along the way too. cursive is art and everyone needs a little art. my kid goes to private school and non-cursive is practically forbidden (you are allowed to print of course but not a single student does, it is beautiful getting to read what my kid writes when I get my friday folder :) )

[frm88]

touch typing is about as useful as … (whatever is the most useless thing).

I disagree. I cannot count the times I typed a documentation from an audio device without pausing the device once. Even short converstions in parallel are no problem. Being able to type without sight, by pure muscle memory is an invaluable skill.

Edit: also, try typing a dissertation in a two finger henpeck system and see how long it takes you.

[bdangubic]

> I cannot count the times I typed a documentation from an audio device without pausing the device once.

you do know we have tools that transcribe audio, yes? :)

[Teever]

Learning cursive serves a dual purpose which is to develop fine motor skills.

https://macleans.ca/society/life/why-your-teenager-cant-use-...

[nradov]

So does robotics, wood shop, metal shop, pottery, etc. This interest that some people have in forcing students to learn cursive seems so bizarre and anachronistic.

[Teever]

You could make the same argument about teaching children to sing and play instruments in music class given that we now have AI generated music. You could also make the same argument about teaching kids how to draw or paint given that we now have cameras and 3d rendering.

Would you agree with that argument? Why or why not?

[Kbelicius]

Not all schools have those and not everybody can practice those at home while every school can teach cursive and every student can practice it at home. It is simple as that.