While artificial intelligence reshapes education and the workplace, some maintain that traditional skills such as handwriting, spelling and structured writing become obsolete. This hypothesis is dangerously wrong. In reality, writing – especially by hand – is more important than ever.
Ai cheating and returning to blue books
Colleges across the country reintegrate blue books – these dreaded aggravated examination booklets – to combat cheating assisted by AI. It is not nostalgia; It is a necessity. Without them, teachers cannot make sure that students can write and think independently. The truth is that many students are now struggling to do both without a keyboard.
There is no spelling verification in a blue book, no automatic entry and no phrasing generated by AI. Students must be able to spell properly, write readably and structure their thoughts in a coherent way – all under pressure. However, many K-12 schools have prioritized these fundamental skills by assuming that they are no longer relevant in a digital economy. This approach prepares students for failure.
Hand writing: a cognitive superpower
Research has always shown that hand writing improves learning and memory (Wiley and Rapp, 2021). Although it is not completely understood why, a study showed that when the students physically form letters and words, they engage neuronal tracks more extensive than when they tap (van der Weel and van der Meer, 2025). However, many schools have moved away from the accent on writing and spelling, assuming that digital tools will compensate. It's a mistake. Writing is not only communication – it is a cognitive training that strengthens mental connections, improves retention and promotes more in -depth understanding.
We also know that excessive screen time is damaging to students' eyes and the duration of attention. Although the impact of the duration of attention is fairly known, it is less public notoriety than the eyes of the screens for long periods contributes to myopia (myopia) in children and adolescents. Hand writing provides an essential break of screens, offering students who need to strengthen critical thinking.
Imperative literacy: why writing is part of the solution
In the Massachusetts, around a third of students are unable to read at the school level. In an effort to increase literacy rates, the emphasis was rightly put on reading reading, but writing should not be overlooked because spelling and writing directly support reading skills. If a child can spell a word, he can read it. Writing also makes learning active rather than passive, helping students internalize the language more effectively – especially young boys, who often fight with the teaching of traditional reading.
In addition, the process of creating a well -structured test teaches the logical structure, clarity and arguments of students, strengthening the reasoning skills which are essential to approach complex subjects in any field. By integrating writing into the teaching of literacy, we can create a more holistic approach to education – the one that strengthens both reading and cognitive development.
The class ditch: Who is left behind?
The most alarming consequence of the negligence of education is perhaps its impact on educational equity. While AI obliges a return to traditional evaluation methods, students of well -resourced families – whose parents emphasize writing, spelling and structured writing at home – will adapt more easily. Students who are only counting on the school system will be left behind.
It is not a distant concern. Despite its best academic rankings, the Massachusetts has experienced the greatest increase in the success gap between low and high -income students from the Pandemic. The inability to strengthen the basic skills of writing and reflection is likely to deepen this fracture. Those who learn to write and think independently will prosper in AI -resistant assessments. Those who have no trouble, strengthening systemic inequalities.
Prepare for the college of the future
The irony of the rise of AI is that it rejects education towards traditional methods. The return of blue books and handwritten evaluations suggests that the college of the future could look a lot like college in the past. Students will have to demonstrate their knowledge in real time, not to mention the responses generated by AI.
Parents, educators and school committees must recognize the urgency of this issue – change in colleges is currently occurring. We cannot afford to wait for the reform to descend from the level of the state. The loss of MCAS as a graduation obligation may offer the opportunity to act without delay the management of the government of the State.
While we put an answer to AI in education, let us ensure that our children are equipped not only to navigate in the digital world, but to think, reason and write with clarity – and with a pen.
Elise Rapoza is a resident of New Bedford.
At Learnopoly, Finn has championed a mission to deliver unbiased, in-depth reviews of online courses that empower learners to make well-informed decisions. With over a decade of experience in financial services, he has honed his expertise in strategic partnerships and business development, cultivating both a sharp analytical perspective and a collaborative spirit. A lifelong learner, Finn’s commitment to creating a trusted guide for online education was ignited by a frustrating encounter with biased course reviews.