Teach touch typing instead of handwriting

Handwriting is not used anywhere in the world except in schools. Kids need to learn the much more practical touch typing as part of the overall transition to computer-based learning. Here's why.

• Nobody writes by hand anymore. Sure you scribble something on post-it notes occasionally, but simple uppercase printed letters will do in that case.
• In contrast, touch typing is essential for productive work.
• People learn touch typing faster and more easily than handwriting.
• Since touch typing is easily perfected, results of touch typing training are highly consistent.
• Keeping the text pretty is now the job of the computer. Everyone's work is now legible.
• Typing removes bias against boys, who do not take into beautiful handwriting as keenly as girls.
• Typing is more tolerant of disabilities than handwriting.
• People can type faster than they can write by hand. Writing assignments can be longer and more frequent.
• Spellchecker can handle the grunt work of spelling. Much smaller set of rules must be taught in the traditional way.
• Typing is an enabler of classroom computer use.

While we are at the topic of typing, I recommend starting right away with Dvorak layout, skipping QWERTY completely. Child-sized keyboard will make things easier for small hands.