Switching off: Sweden says back-to-basics schooling works on paper
Switching off: Sweden says back-to-basics schooling works on paper
Schools minister Lotta Edholm moves students off digital devices and on to books and handwriting, with teachers and experts debating the pros and cons
The return to more traditional ways of learning is a response to politicians and experts questioning whether Sweden’s hyper-digitalised approach to education, including the introduction of tablets in nursery schools, had led to a decline in basic skills.
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Not all experts are convinced Sweden’s back-to-basics push is exclusively about what’s best for students.
Criticising the effects of technology is “a popular move with conservative politicians”, Neil Selwyn, a professor of education at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, said. “It’s a neat way of saying or signalling a commitment to traditional values.
“The Swedish government does have a valid point when saying that there is no evidence for technology improving learning, but I think that’s because there is no straightforward evidence of what works with technology,” Selwyn said. “Technology is just one part of a really complex network of factors in education.”
That seems very likely, especially considering how little control for other variables there seems to be. Obviously digital random materials from the internet can be worse than purpose made books but that is not about analog vs. digital.
Seriously, who gives a shit what alleged self-important experts say? The consensus in education shifts all the time and the studies corroborating preconceived notions are mostly hot garbage. It’s incredible how little tangible evidence there exists.
Let's listen to some politicians then instead, who are having zero insight and are virtue signalling old=better. Sounds great, I'll get my stick to beat the stupid out of these kids.
Of course old isn’t always better. Who said so? I said above that the most important aspect is that teachers care and no amount of money can compensate for a lack of motivated teachers.
You were ranting about "self-important" experts. You didn't even mention money or motivation.
Seriously, who gives a shit what alleged self-important experts say? The consensus in education shifts all the time and the studies corroborating preconceived notions are mostly hot garbage. It’s incredible how little tangible evidence there exists.
It's not like researches into cognitive sciences or how humans learn are well funded. It's not a sexy field, like cancer treatment, or one that attracts flashy billionaires with PR problems, like space travel.