That is quite true.
Using low speed devices forces people to think about their task. qThinking first improves quality. I use the word processor now but when I used a typewriter I was forced to first think through what I wanted to write to save the trouble of endless draft retyping. (The often parodied IBM "THINK" sign was created for a resaon.)
If I were a secondary or college level teacher I would require _one_ homework assignment to be done neatly in longhand. This is to demonstrate the benefit of thinking ahead and reinforce the skill of writing. Computers have replaced many things, but we still have a need for handwritten notes that are legible. Power tools are great, but we should know how to use hand tools as well.
Fountain pens also reproduce much better than ball point on copying and fascimile machines.
I once told somebody my fountain pen was actually a digital device that read the computer screen. They believed me.
But the flip side is that fountain pens can be a nuisance. Most pens today use pre-filled cartridges. They go through them quickly and cartridges are expensive. If you use a bladder and an ink bottle the ink is cheap, but filling is messy. (Even changing cartridges can be messy). If you flick or jar a fountain pen it will splatter staining clothing. I'm not sure it's a good idea for such young kids to be using them given their rambuctiousness. I must admit I have some fountain pens out of service since they need to be cleaned and filled and it's just easier using my inexpensive "Bic round stick".
[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I do feel that forcing a _fountain pen_ on students -- as opposed, let's say to a 'ballpoint pen' or something similar -- is perhaps a bit extreme, for the reasons you suggested, but I definitly would require students to work out at least one problem in 'long-hand' and _circle their answer_ and explain how they arrived at that answer. The rest of the test could be done on computer for all I care as long as they knew what they were doing.For a test once in high school, Paul said take a couple pieces of paper, compute (in your head, not on computer!) some mathematical formula of (number). That's your test, pass your papers forward. Either you know how to do it or you don't know. Count on your fingers and toes if you wish, but I want a detailed explanation of how you arrived at your answer. PAT]