A method and system for performing instruction of handwriting skills by animated display of the required stroke motions with simultaneous audio verbal description of these same motions, including the means for a student to practice this lesson with use of a pen based input device by which the pen motion is captured, displayed on a computer monitor, and communicated to an evaluation algorithm which rates the quality of the writing. Based on this handwriting evaluation, the system includes means to provide visual and auditory reward, and generate the subsequent instructions and exercise for the student using embedded expert teaching knowledge. In the preferred embodiment, a tablet with a fastening mechanism fixes into position the paper duplicate of the handwriting lesson presented on the computer screen and the pen writing device is a special ballpoint pen capable of leaving a hard copy trace of the student writing.