At Cherry Hill High School East, laptops have become a daily part of student learning. Almost every class uses them for notes, assignments and even tests. While technology has made school easier in many aspects, it has also eliminated something simple but important: handwritten notes. Given East’s emphasis on academic rigor, we should rethink our reliance on screens and consider reinstating traditional, but effective, “paper and pencil” note-taking.

One key reason why handwritten notes should be brought back is that handwriting helps students learn better. A well-known study called “The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard,” by researchers Pam Mueller and Daniel Oppenheimer, found that students who take handwritten notes remember more information than those who type. Students who wrote notes by hand saw increased comprehension because their brains had to process the information, rather than copying it directly. 

Another reason to bring back handwritten notes is to reduce eye strain on screens. A lot of students already spend hours staring at screens, both in and out of school. At East, a normal day for a lot of students includes at least half of the classes that require a laptop, along with homework done online.  

“On days one through four, at least four out of six of my classes use computers, while on days five and six, at least two out of four of my classes require laptops,” said East student Jaydon Thai (‘28).

This clearly shows how many of these unnecessary screens are used on a daily basis. Research has also shown that handwriting activates more areas of the mind connected to memory and learning compared to typing. That extra mental effort can make a real difference when students are trying to remember important material for tests or quizzes.

Of course, there are those who may think that laptops hold more advantages. They make it easier to organize notes and submit assignments instantly. Teachers can share materials quickly, and students do not have to worry about losing papers in their folders or at the bottom of their backpacks. These points are fair, and this is not to say that technology should not disappear from classrooms completely. However, efficiency should not affect learning quality. Just because something seems faster doesn’t mean it is better for understanding or long-term success.

A balanced approach would be the best solution for East. Rather than depending on digital tools as heavily as teachers currently do, they could incorporate a combination of handwritten and digital work. For example, students could write notes by hand and then be allowed to use their devices for research or final drafts. This would allow the school to retain the benefits of technology while reintroducing the advantages of handwriting.

East is well known for preparing students for the future, but doing so does not require abandoning effective methods from the past. Handwritten notes are not outdated. They are a scientifically strong way to improve focus and learning. By bringing back “paper and pencil” learning into classrooms, Cherry Hill High School East can build an environment that truly supports student success.