Does it apply equally to E Ink writing tablets, or is there something special about writing on paper?
Would love to know the answer (if there is one) to this
Writing by hand is still the best way to retain information
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Re: Writing by hand is still the best way to retain information
#12[deleted]
Re: Writing by hand is still the best way to retain information
#13Even if this is true (which for some reason I doubt, probably bias), my handwriting is so atrocious and inefficient I doubt I would ever act on this knowledge.
Re: Writing by hand is still the best way to retain information
#14Does it apply equally to E Ink writing tablets, or is there something special about writing on paper?
Probably. It's not just the tactile impact of pen on paper, there is likely to also be a memory effect triggered by paging through a notebook to get to the latest blank page.
E-ink tablets, like a word processor, always starts with a blank page.
Re: Writing by hand is still the best way to retain information
#15There’s something about writing that makes it very personal. I’ve noticed when I make information personal I retain it better.
Absolutely. I love to write since I got in to fountain pens. It forced me to change my grip for the better, motivated me to practice spencerian, and appreciate quality paper. Writing is now very personal and delightful. I take what I write more seriously and thoughtfully, which causes me to retain it far better.
Re: Writing by hand is still the best way to retain information
#16I know absolutely nothing about neuroscience. When I read a claim about handwriting notes having more brain activity than typing notes, it seems like additional.. overhead (pun).. to accomplish the same task: memorization. Less brain activity to accomplish the same task of memorization would imply efficiency, wouldn't it?
I think you're mixing efficiency with effectiveness. It may be more efficient to store your valuables in a breadbasket, but more effective to store them in a safety deposit box, if you measure effectiveness by "keeping everything in one place, free from the view of strangers". In this case, the extra effort aids (so it is claimed, I believe it but am no expert) on later retrieval, not in efficient intake.
Re: Writing by hand is still the best way to retain information
#17I recently interviewed[0] a professional writer who transitioned away from a purely digital workflow (e.g. "getting things done", "mind mapping") to one that incorporates good old paper and pen with flashcards: a hybrid approach. I myself tried (many times) to go either fully digital, or fully analog, only to find myself in the same position over and over again of combining the best of both worlds.
[0] - https://digitalorganizationdad.substack.com/p/the-tools-of-e...
Re: Writing by hand is still the best way to retain information
#18Does it apply equally to E Ink writing tablets, or is there something special about writing on paper?
Probably. It's not just the tactile impact of pen on paper, there is likely to also be a memory effect triggered by paging through a notebook to get to the latest blank page. E-ink tablets, like a word processor, always starts with a blank page.
I've always suspected the metal editing down to important points is a major factor.
If I'm taking typed notes I can regurgitate almost exactly what was said at 100 wpm and feel like I'm taking "good" notes because I've included everything.
If I'm taking written notes I have to think about the material as I write it and distill it down to something I can write quickly enough.
Didn't have good tablet devices until after I was out of college, but from years of using them in other contexts I think they provide a similar effect to writing on paper, except the eraser works better and I can rearrange things after I've written them if I need more space in the middle of a page.
Re: Writing by hand is still the best way to retain information
#19[deleted]
Re: Writing by hand is still the best way to retain information
#20There seems to be zero proof to that.
Too long ago that I can up with actual citations I read about studies that said a better way to "retain" information, in the context of college reading material, is recitation. With recitation they meant verbally explaining the content from memory.
One of the problems with most such studies is that they don't compare techniques with each other.