“We were all so wrong”: Sweden’s government confirms screens are harming students’ academic performance
Source: http://jasondeegan.com
For the past 15 years, Sweden has championed a digital-first approach in education, making tablets and laptops staples in classrooms. From conducting research to preparing for exams, students have relied heavily on digital tools to facilitate learning. While this approach provided interactivity and instant access to resources, it also brought significant challenges.
Parents expressed concerns about distractions from games and videos, questioning whether their children were truly engaged in studying. Research highlighted drawbacks of prolonged screen use, such as eye strain and difficulty retaining information compared to reading printed materials. Young learners also struggled to develop critical thinking skills when overly reliant on digital devices, a concern voiced by Sweden’s Minister of Education, Lotta Edholm.
Despite Sweden’s reputation for educational excellence, student performance has declined in recent years. While Swedish students remain competitive in reading comprehension compared to their European peers, overall academic outcomes have suffered. Minister Edholm attributed this to an overreliance on digital tools, which has hindered critical thinking and encouraged overconfidence in online sources.
This trend has led the Swedish government to make a decisive shift. Policymakers are scaling back the use of digital tools in favor of printed materials, aiming to restore balance and improve learning outcomes.
Read more of the story here: https://childreninfobank.com/safebank/we-were-all-so-wrong-swedens-government-confirms-screens-are-harming-students-academic-performance/
Image Source: http://www.bellesandgals.com
