Sweden, long recognized for its innovative educational practices, is returning to more conventional approaches. The country has been at the forefront of educational digitalization in recent years, with tablets and online research being widely adopted as central pedagogical tools. However, some worry that this highly digitalized method will have a negative effect on students’ foundational knowledge and abilities. In light of this, the Swedish government has mandated that tablets and individual online research be used less frequently in favor of printed books, quiet reading time, and handwriting practice. The shift is an attempt to reverse the alarming decline in students’ proficiency in the basics and give them a solid grounding. Let’s investigate this shift and its possible causes and effects.
The Flaws in Sweden’s Fully Digitalized System
Sweden’s education system is adopting more traditional teaching methods in response to mounting criticism from politicians and experts. Lotta Edholm, the country’s minister for schools, is a vocal opponent of using technology extensively in classrooms. She made the point that physical books are essential for education back in March, saying, “Sweden’s students need more textbooks.”
The findings of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) added fuel to the fire of those who are worried about the increasing prevalence of digital technologies in the classroom. Swedish students’ reading scores dropped between 2016 and 2021, though they were still higher than the European average. This drop prompted researchers to wonder if students were distracted by their screen time during class.
The Plea for Old-Fashioned Approaches
In light of these issues, the Swedish government has stated its intention to end the requirement for preschoolers to use digital devices. They also hope to put an end to all digital education for kids under the age of six. Instead of relying heavily on online resources, the new emphasis will be placed on learning through traditional means such as printed textbooks and the guidance of knowledgeable instructors.
The Karolinska Institute in Sweden, a prestigious medical school with a focus on research, has also spoken out in favor of returning to more traditional teaching methods. They claim that research shows that students’ academic performance actually declines when they use digital resources. The institute stresses the significance of learning from printed textbooks and teacher guidance, which guarantees precision and a firm grounding in knowledge.
Coronavirus Pandemic and Its Consequences
It’s important to recognize the potential impact of the coronavirus pandemic, even though worries about the decline in basic skills were a major factor in the decision to return to traditional learning methods. It’s possible that students’ inability to learn was exacerbated by the pandemic’s disruptions and the subsequent shift to online education.
The number of international students in Sweden who do not speak Swedish as their native tongue has also increased. There’s a chance that the increasingly diverse student body has an effect on grades, too. However, experts agree that excessive screen time during class time can compound these difficulties and slow students’ progress in fundamental subjects.
The Global View of Educational Technology
Sweden is not alone in questioning the value of technology in classrooms. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently issued a “urgent call” for the right application of technology in the classroom. The report highlights the importance of ensuring that technology will never replace in-person, teacher-led instruction, while also highlighting the need to improve internet connections in schools.
The United States and Poland are just two examples of countries that have struggled with how to implement technology into their classrooms. In an effort to boost technological competitiveness, Poland’s government has just begun providing laptops to students beginning in the fourth grade. Although the digital divide has narrowed since the pandemic in the United States, it is still a significant obstacle to closing.
Digitalization in Schooling from a German Perspective
Despite its reputation as an economic powerhouse, Germany has been one of the countries least quick to embrace digital learning. Different states have different levels of digitalization in their schools because they are responsible for their own curriculums. Some students in Germany receive fully digital lessons, while others may get through school without ever touching a computer.
Experts in Germany, such as author and consultant Sascha Lobo, have argued that a unified national effort is required to ensure that German students are future-ready. Lobo is of the opinion that Germany will fall behind in the international job market if the country does not fully embrace digital education and comprehend how digitalization works.
The Swedish Government’s Support for Old-Fashioned Education
The Swedish government has announced a sizable investment in book purchases for schools in an effort to reverse the decline in reading performance among 4th graders. They intend to spend 685 million kronor ($64.7 million) on books this year, with an additional 500 million kronor set aside each year in 2024 and 2025. The investment will hasten the process of getting books back into classrooms and emphasize the value of printed materials for education.
Traditional Education and Its Critics
There is growing support for a return to more traditional teaching methods in Swedish classrooms, but not everyone is convinced that this is the best option. It has been suggested that conservative politicians often use criticism of educational technology as a way to demonstrate their support for traditional values.
Monash University education professor Neil Selwyn thinks that technology is just one cog in a much larger educational system. He stresses the difficulty in determining the effect of technology on student learning because of the lack of clear evidence of what works. Selwyn argues that successful educational systems require a holistic strategy that takes into account a wide range of factors.
See first source: AP News
FAQ
What has prompted Sweden to shift from a highly digitalized education system to more traditional teaching methods?
Criticism from politicians, experts, and a decline in students’ reading scores have prompted Sweden to reconsider its highly digitalized education system. Concerns about potential distractions caused by screen time during class and a desire for students to have access to physical textbooks have played a role in this shift.
What were the findings of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) in relation to Swedish students’ reading scores?
While Swedish students’ reading scores dropped between 2016 and 2021, they were still higher than the European average. However, this decline raised questions about whether screen time during class might have been a contributing factor.
What changes is the Swedish government making to its education system to promote more traditional teaching methods?
The Swedish government intends to end the requirement for preschoolers to use digital devices and eliminate all digital education for children under the age of six. Instead, the emphasis will be on learning through traditional means, such as printed textbooks and teacher guidance.
What is the stance of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden on returning to traditional teaching methods?
The Karolinska Institute supports the shift to traditional teaching methods and claims that research shows students’ academic performance can decline when they rely on digital resources. The institute emphasizes the importance of learning from printed textbooks and teacher guidance for a solid foundation in knowledge.
How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted education and the move away from digital learning in Sweden?
The pandemic and the shift to online education may have exacerbated difficulties in learning, but concerns about declining basic skills existed prior to the pandemic. The pandemic’s disruptions and the increasing diversity of the student body may have had some impact on student performance, but excessive screen time during class is also seen as a contributing factor.
Is Sweden the only country reevaluating the role of technology in education?
No, Sweden is not alone in questioning the role of technology in education. UNESCO has issued a call for the appropriate use of technology in classrooms, emphasizing that it should not replace in-person, teacher-led instruction. Other countries, such as the United States, Poland, and Germany, are also grappling with how to implement technology in education.
What steps is the Swedish government taking to support traditional education methods?
The Swedish government plans to invest 685 million kronor ($64.7 million) in book purchases for schools in an effort to improve reading performance among 4th graders. Additional funding of 500 million kronor each year is earmarked for 2024 and 2025 to reinforce the importance of printed materials in education.
Are there differing opinions on the shift back to traditional education methods in Sweden?
Yes, there are differing opinions, and some critics suggest that conservative politicians use criticism of educational technology to demonstrate their support for traditional values. Education experts like Neil Selwyn emphasize the complexity of determining the impact of technology on student learning and argue for a holistic approach that considers various factors in educational systems.
Featured Image Credit: Raphael Andres; Unsplash – Thank you!
