Thank you for the book recommendation - I just ordered it!
It also brings to mind the Mauritanian's traditional educational system in North Africa. They are renowned for their piety and memorization of Islamic classical texts, which includes writing:
"The method of learning utilizes the lawh, or wooden tablet, whereby
the text is written in charcoal ink on the tablet and then memorized
and studied under the watchful guidance of the shuyukh. Everything
that is studied is committed to memory, and this is one of the
reasons why the scholars of the Shanaaqeet made a distinguished
presence wherever they went. The children first memorize the
Qur’aan, starting at about seven years of age. After memorizing it,
they study the rasm, which is the science related to writing the
Qur’aan according to the 'Uthmani script. Next, they study the
Qur’aan a second time, though this time they write it on their
tablets from memory. The first time they write it either having the
sheikh write it for them, dictate it to them, or by looking at a
mushaf (copy of the Qur’aan) although these are few and far between!
After that, they learn the dabt which is a science related to the
differences between the two narrations of Nafi' (Warsh and Qaalun).
They then move on to pursue further studies in ‘aqeedah, nahw, fiqh
and hadeeth. "
and the Mauritanian Methods of Memorization are detailed in the same thread:
http://www.aussiemuslims.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-23946.htmlImage of Lawh:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferdinandreus/746927408/