Monday’s Editorial (“Screens down, pencils up”, DT, 10/8) is music to our ears as a proven method of communication and learning returns to the classrooms of NSW. In past generations, writing out long lists of information proved effective in stimulating memory and recall. Those of us ever recruited to roles in plays benefited from literally writing out the script repetitively. No doubt, simply looking at information passively triggers the visual cortex of the brain and the hippocampus (memory nuclei). Physically writing out the script magnifies the cerebral electrical connections as the motor and sensory cortices controlling hand movements escalate a torrent of data, activating the memory nuclei and making learning much more active than passive. With the emotion nuclei (amygdala) next to the hippocampus, it seems that a state of happiness, contentment and self-worth enhances learning, explaining the impact of family background on school performance. Trying to learn from tapping on keyboards is remarkably un-physiological. Congratulations to Pru Car and Jason Clare. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 11August2026
