Back to Books

This article rang a solid bell for me today. Sweden’s new educational strategy is to get students away from technology and screens, and back to textbooks and teacher led instruction. Swedish Minister for Schools Lotta Edholm said, “Physical books are important for student learning.” And Sweden’s Karolinska Institute issued this statement: “There is clear scientific evidence that digital tools impair rather than enhance student learning.”

As a former educator who started in the book era, and ended in the digital age, I saw the difference. While there were many benefits with the instant delivery of information to students, I saw the blank, mesmerized stares of students into a screen. Disconnect.

A Stockholm third grader, nine year old Liveon Palmer said, “I like writing more in school, like on paper, because it just feels better, you know?”

Preach!