Screens Are Everywhere. So Why Are We Picking Up Notebooks Again?
To be honest with ourselves, let’s admit that the introduction of iPads made us think pen and paper would be left in the past, as we now had something better. After a while, some of us realized that another screen can be more of a burden than a solution—the battery dies, there’s no tactile feel of notetaking, and so on.
Today, surveys show that over 60% of employees in the workplace choose handwritten notes over laptops or phones, and 71% believe they remember information better when they write it down. But it’s not just about personal opinions—when you ask the science, it offers plenty of positive feedback on how invaluable handwritten notetaking is for learning new things and improving memory. We unfold more below.
Learning in a Digital World: The Power of Pen and Paper
These days, adults often learn new skills through YouTube videos, apps, and online courses. Although not many would learn traditional subjects like languages, a big number of adults are interested in developing their strategic skills through practices and games.
Poker is a strategic game many grown-ups decide to pick up, often by watching online tutorials or playing in digital card rooms. The game itself is largely digitized now – you can play online and watch experts break down hands on streaming platforms. But even in this high-tech learning environment, old-fashioned note-taking can give you an edge. Why poker specifically? Because it’s a game of strategy, probabilities, and ever-evolving tactics. There’s a lot of terminology and theory – from knowing what a “three-bet” is to calculating pot odds – that a new player needs to absorb.
Writing those concepts in a notebook while learning how to play poker as a pro can reinforce them in your memory. When you jot down a poker tip or a strategy you just learned from a video, you’re processing it actively rather than just passively watching. Cognitive research backs this up: adults who take notes by hand during learning tend to understand and recall the material better than those who don’t. The act of writing engages your brain in summarizing and encoding the idea, making it stick.
Beyond theory, note-taking is invaluable for learning through practice. Imagine you play a few rounds of online poker tonight. Instead of simply logging off, you might open your notebook and write a quick recap: What hands gave you trouble? Did you notice any patterns in your opponent’s play? This is exactly what some top players do. And even though poker training has gone digital, a pen and paper remain one of the best tools to level up your game.
Beyond Strategy Games: Tackling Complex Worlds with a Notebook (Cyberpunk City)
It’s not only traditional study or strategy games that benefit from pen and paper. Even fast-paced, content-rich video games can send players scrambling for a notebook. To prove it, let’s look at Cyberpunk City – a modern video game that’s very different from poker. Take a look at a quick review below to get a holistic idea about it:
As you can see, Cyberpunk City isn’t a strategy card game; it’s an upcoming futuristic open-world action game. In fact, it’s a whole platform: it features everything from intense battle royale matches to sci-fi car racing, all wrapped in a neon-drenched metaverse. It even incorporates a complex in-game economy with NFTs and upgrades. In other words, this game throws a lot at the player – multiple game modes, rich environments, and a ton of features to grasp. There are also character classes (like Assault, Tank, Support heroes) each with unique abilities and roles to remember.
How can taking notes help in a game like Cyberpunk City? Think of your notebook as a personalized game guide. For example, a new player might dedicate a page to each character class – writing down the special abilities of Assault vs. Tank classes, so they can quickly recall which role does what. Another page might list tips for the different modes (a note on battle royale strategy, a reminder of controls for the racing mode, etc.).
If the game’s world is filled with lore or quests, you can jot down clues or tasks you want to follow up on later. This keeps all that scattered info in one handy place that you can consult without pausing the game.
The Science (and Comeback) of Handwritten Notes
Why do handwritten notes have such a powerful effect? Psychology and neuroscience offer some answers. Writing by hand is a slower process than typing or tapping on a screen – and that’s actually a good thing. When you are journaling, you can’t capture every word verbatim as fast as a computer can. Instead, you’re forced to distill information into key points in your own words.
There’s also a more physiological reason your notebook boosts memory. Brain scan studies show that handwriting activates broader areas of the brain compared to typing. For example, in one experiment scientists monitored students’ brains and found that writing by hand sparked higher activity in regions involved in movement, touch, and memory processing. The act of shaping each letter with a pen involves fine motor skills and visual feedback that reinforce what you’re learning.
A report in a psychiatry journal summed it up: new research indicates writing by hand, with its careful strokes and sensory feedback, creates more elaborate brain patterns that enhance learning and memory.
BEFORE YOU GO:
Here are a few more posts you might like:
See my Link Party Directory for a current list of blog parties I attend each week.
FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY – Please Read Freebies Terms of Use.
(This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.)
~ SHARE THIS POST ~
Did you like this post? Do you know someone else who might enjoy it? Please take a minute to share it on Pinterest, Facebook, or your favorite social media… Thank you!
Shop
