Advocates of digital education often cite its recognisable benefits.
One key benefit is that it enhances the rational ability of students and stimulates their mental faculties.
But the downside of digital education is rarely mentioned.
Take a look at Sweden. After 15 years of embracing digital education, this Nordic nation is reverting to textbooks, marking a bold U-turn.
Introduced in 2009, digital education was seen as a progressive move that would enhance education. After all, technology was an indispensable component of people’s daily lives.
The government felt students raised in a tech-driven world would become more self-motivated. It felt the learning environment would become more engaging. Digital education, it believed, would give students a competitive edge in a globalised world.
Many viewed the switch to digital education optimistically. They were confident the pros would outweigh the cons. Gradually, tablets, laptops and online resources replaced printed classroom materials.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a regular pledge or periodic auto-donation to Aliran
- Become an Aliran member
At first, enthusiasm marked the shift. Digital tools offered multimedia content, immediate updates to information and flexible access to learning material.
But as the years passed, the euphoria subsided. Cracks in the digital mosaic emerged.
Studies and firsthand accounts from teachers and parents raised alarm bells. It was found that digital education led to weaker reading and writing skills and comprehension than textbook learning. Students found it difficult to remember facts using digital materials in contrast to textbook learning.
Digital education created more distractions. Students lost focus and concentration in class. Instead, they surfed the internet to source other information. Others ended up playing computer games during school hours.
All this was attributed to excessive exposure to screens at an early age. The reduction in textbook reading and comprehension had contributed to this loss of interest.
As concerns grew, Sweden took a closer look at digital education – and shifted to reverse gear. Policymakers were farsighted enough to see the pitfalls of digital education. They decided to reinvest in books.
From 2022 to 2025, Sweden will spend 104m euros to ensure students have access to printed textbooks for each subject. The aim is not to preclude technology but to ensure a sound balance between digital tools that support education and the conventional ways of textbook learning.
Awareness campaigns have been launched in schools to transition back to books. Now, printed textbooks are provided to all students.
Kudos to the Swedes for acknowledging their mistake in abandoning textbooks in favour of completely digital education.
That said, technology will remain a critical part of the country’s education system. The new role of technology is to act as a catalyst rather than dominating learning in schools.
A hybrid system combining books and digital education will better prepare students for the future.
Sweden’s experiment with digital education serves as an eye-opener. Other countries planning to fully embrace digital education should take heed.
The lesson? Exercise caution instead of acting hastily. Don’t plunge into digital education without looking at the Swedish experiment. Examine the advantages and pitfalls of digital education. Evaluate whether extra computer screen time will actually help or hurt students.
Then, strike a balance between digital and textbook learning. Technology should be a catalyst in moving education forward, not a bane.
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
