Handwriting Speeds of 4th–8th Grade Students

Ayşe Dilek Yekeler Gökmen; Mustafa  Yıldız; Nurhan Aktaş; Merve  Ataş

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2022) IEJEE

Handwriting Speeds of 4th–8th Grade Students

Ayşe Dilek Yekeler Gökmen
Mustafa Yıldız
Nurhan Aktaş
Merve Ataş

Published January 19, 2023 | Pages: 123-136 | Views: 640

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Abstract

For the effective expression of feelings and thoughts, handwriting should be produced fluently at a certain speed. The aim of this study was to examine the development of handwriting speeds in 4th-8th grade primary and secondary school students in terms of various variables. In line with this aim, answers were sought to the question, “Do 4th-8th grade primary and secondary school students’ handwriting speeds differ significantly depending on their grade, gender, hand preference and handwriting style?” The study was designed with a survey method, and the study group consisted of 322 students attending 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades of primary and secondary school. As the data collection tool in the study, a form developed by the researchers for all grade levels was used. In the data collection process, the students were required to copy a given text within a period of one minute. The research results revealed that while the primary and secondary school students’ handwriting speeds differed significantly according to their grade level, gender and handwriting style, they did not differ significantly according to their hand preferences. As grade level increased, mean handwriting speeds increased. Female students wrote faster than male students. Students using manuscript handwriting style wrote faster than students who used cursive handwriting style.

<p>For the effective expression of feelings and thoughts, handwriting should be produced fluently at a certain speed. The aim of this study was to examine the development of handwriting speeds in 4th-8th grade primary and secondary school students in terms of various variables. In line with this aim, answers were sought to the question, “Do 4th-8th grade primary and secondary school students’ handwriting speeds differ significantly depending on their grade, gender, hand preference and handwriting style?” The study was designed with a survey method, and the study group consisted of 322 students attending 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades of primary and secondary school. As the data collection tool in the study, a form developed by the researchers for all grade levels was used. In the data collection process, the students were required to copy a given text within a period of one minute. The research results revealed that while the primary and secondary school students’ handwriting speeds differed significantly according to their grade level, gender and handwriting style, they did not differ significantly according to their hand preferences. As grade level increased, mean handwriting speeds increased. Female students wrote faster than male students. Students using manuscript handwriting style wrote faster than students who used cursive handwriting style.&nbsp;</p>

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Keywords

handwriting speed; primary and secondary school students; handwriting style; hand preference

Affiliations

Ayşe Dilek Yekeler Gökmen

Dr

Mustafa Yıldız

Nurhan Aktaş

Merve Ataş

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How to Cite

Yekeler Gökmen, A. D., Yıldız, M. ., Aktaş, N., & Ataş, M. . (2023). Handwriting Speeds of 4th–8th Grade Students. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 15(2), 123–136. Retrieved from https://iejee.com/index.php/IEJEE/article/view/1864

Author Biography

Ayşe Dilek Yekeler Gökmen

Mustafa Yıldız

Mustafa Yıldız is Professor in the department of Primary Teacher Education at Gazi University. Mustafa’s work focuses on teaching of reading and writing, reading motivation, reading and writing diffuculties, literacy policies, research methods.

Nurhan Aktaş

Nurhan Aktaş, Selçuk Üniversitesi Sınıf Öğretmenliği Bölümü'nde yardımcı doçenttir. Araştırma alanları temel okuma yazma, hikaye yazma, okuduğunu anlama, okuma yazma motivasyonu, dijital yazma ve ekran okumadır.

Merve Ataş

Merve Ataş, Trabzon Üniversitesi Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü Sınıf Öğretmenliği Anabilim Dalı'nda araştırma görevlisidir. Merve'nin çalışmaları okuma yazma öğretimi, öğretmen yetiştirme, okuma motivasyonu, Türkçe öğretimi üzerine odaklanmaktadır.