Does It Matter Whether My Child's Study Notes Are Written on a Laptop or Handwritten?

Asked by Anonymous on our Parent Webinar series.

Another great question from our parent community on note taking, and the answer is yes and no! When it comes to note taking, the debate between handwritten and digital notes is ongoing. Research indicates that handwritten notes have the advantage of better memory retention as it's more tactile. However, handwritten notes can be difficult to edit and add to over time. This can result in multiple versions of the same notes that need to be consolidated before exams, leading to duplication and wasted time. Ultimately, this time could be better spent on active revision, like practicing past exam papers.

Digital Study Notes: Efficient and Convenient

On the other hand, digital note-taking on a laptop offers greater efficiency. Students can easily consolidate, add, and edit their notes, saving time when it comes to summarising information before exams. This method also reduces the need to rewrite or copy over notes, enabling students to focus on the most important aspects of their study, such as exam practice and active revision.

What’s Best for Your Child?

Ultimately, the choice between handwritten or digital notes depends on the student's preferences and needs. In our humble opinion, the efficiency gains probably count a little bit more than the memory effect of handwriting, and as such, this would be our recommendation. However, with all study methods, the most important thing is that your child has a system that works for them.

For tips on effective note taking strategies and study methods, explore our Crash Course on Note-Making.