Will using a stylus instead of a mouse improve my handwriting on the whiteboard? [closed]

Question

I have horrible handwriting, and it only seems to have gotten much worse since I rarely use anything other than a keyboard these days.

Now it seems that I'm giving more whiteboarding sessions, and I'm embarrased by my handwritting.

• Would using a stylus instead of a mouse improve my general handwriting legibility?
• What about a Tablet PC?
• Do you think it may help with the cramping and pain I get from too much windows-double clicking?

Answer 1

Dude, the way you improve your handwriting on a whiteboard (or, in the OLD days, a blackboard) is to practice handwriting on a whiteboard (or blackboard).

The motions and muscles used for handwriting on a whiteboard are completely different from those used with a stylus, or handwriting on paper with a pen. On a whiteboard (blackboard), you have to use your whole arm to write. Your hand, wrist, and forearm are basically fixed: your elbow and shoulder flex, and your upper arm moves to move your forearm, to which your hand and wrist, and marker, are attached.

Answer 2

Since you seem to have problems with your handwriting in general, why not take a look at this handwriting improvement tutorial and spend some time practicing it during your lunchtimes?

Apart from that I'd say that @John R Strohm's answer is probably the right one for your situation.

Answer 3

I noticed the same decay. My penmanship was never good, and over the past few years it has gotten decidedly worse. I cringe now, when I have to fill out standard forms with a pen.

I keep a journal at my desk and I write in it faithfully. I highly recommend a Moleskine that suits your personal taste. I use them because the paper is very high quality, gel pens don't run and your average Bic won't suddenly refuse to write.

Log what you do, when you did it, how you felt about it, what you saw, memories from childhood that a certain smell provoked, or whatever suits your fancy. The point is, you need to remind your brain that forming words can be done with keystrokes or a pen. You can practice for a month on a white board and produce brilliant, legible scratch .. however easy come, easy go.

If you want to attain and keep any skill, you need to practice :)

Additionally, the journal makes for interesting reading later.

Answer 4

Great answers. I would only add if you get cramping pains from your mouse, try a bigger mouse. Once I got a little mouse thinking it would be cool. Turned my hand to cement.