Curtin University Handwriting Project

Investigating student's handwriting in a digital technology world.

Scotch College is partnering with Curtin University to explore young people's handwriting skills and how they may have changed since educational handwriting standard assessments were established in 1996. Given the amount of keyboarding that is undertaken in educational activities the research will also investigate student's keyboarding skills.

Further information about this study, including why this study is important?, what your child will be asked to do?, and ethics and consent procedures is contained in the following link. Please note this study will have been approved by Scotch College Acting Headmaster Richard Ledger and Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) prior to commencement.

In summary, Year 9 and 10 students will be asked to participate in three tasks; two short duration handwriting assessments and a typing task using their own device. These research activities will not take place during curriculum time. Scotch College will use this information for educational planning and all data collected for the purpose of this research will be de-identified to maintain confidentiality.

To ensure students have the opportunity for informed consent to participate in the research, the study will be explained to students and they will be given the opportunity to decide if they want to participate. If you do not want your child to participate or have any questions please contact the Chief Investigator Associate Professor Courtenay Harris at c.harris@curtin.edu.au. Furthermore you may contact the Ethics Officer on (08) 9266 9223 or the Manager, Research Integrity on (08) 9266 7093 or email hrec@curtin.edu.au.

This is a great opportunity to help understand the development of children's handwriting in a modern, technological world, and how this impacts on their educational activities.

Mrs Sue Strizek
Academic Support