Cambridge considers exams on laptops

Cambridge University is considering letting students take exams on laptops and iPads because they rarely use ‘the lost art’ of handwriting during their studies.

Students who struggle to write by hand or need extra time in exams are already allowed to use laptops – but this could soon become widespread rather than exceptional.

The university’s review is part of its Digital Strategy for Education, which aims to ‘introduce technology that supports teaching and learning’. 

History lecturer Dr Sarah Pearshall said handwriting was becoming a ‘lost art’.

She told the Daily Telegraph: ‘Fifteen or twenty years ago students routinely have written by hand several hours a day – but now they write virtually nothing by hand except exams.’

‘As a faculty we have been concerned for years about the declining handwriting problem. There has definitely been a downward trend. It is difficult for both the students and the examiners as it is harder and harder to read these scripts.’

One former student told MailOnline: ‘I did all my exams on laptops – it really helped me but it makes being able to touch type essential.’

Another said: ‘I think being able to go back and change your essay – which you can’t do when writing- would make things harder as people would run out of time trying to create the perfect answer.’   

A Cambridge University spokesman said the review was ordered after ‘students raised concerns that they rarely handwrite during their studies’.

He added: ‘As part of this, a consultation is being conducted among students on whether computers should be allowed in exams. 

‘The consultation is on-going and will be used to inform future decision-making on the issue.’ 

Students who struggle with handwriting or who need extra time in exams are already allowed to use laptops – but this could soon become widespread