Sweden goes back to basics, swapping screens for books in the classroom

Fälth noted that reform supporters believe that “basic skills – especially reading, writing and numeracy – must first be firmly established, and that school textbooks are often better suited for this purpose.”

Between 2000 and 2012, Swedish students’ standardized test scores steadily declined in reading, math, and science. Although they regained ground between 2012 and 2018, these scores fell again in 2022.

Although it is unclear how much of this decline is due to digitalization, there is some evidence that analog teaching materials for reading may be superior to on-screen learning. However, this applies to explanatory texts rather than narrative texts. Narrative texts tell a story, whether fictional or nonfiction, while expository texts are designed to inform, describe, or explain a topic in a logical and factual manner.

Swedish officials stress that digital technology is not completely removed from schools. Instead, digital aids “should only be introduced into education at an age where they encourage, rather than hinder, student learning.” Acquiring digital skills remains an important goal, especially in higher grades.

Historically, the technology industry has pushed for an increased reliance on digital learning, seeing itself as a transformer of education. In the 1980s, Apple contributed to the use of computers in schools. Then, starting with the use of the Internet and then integrating mobile devices, technology has reshaped the educational landscape. Education experts suggest this can foster a more interactive learning experience that is accessible and tailored to the needs of each student.

In the United States, the national trend in recent years has been toward using increasingly sophisticated digital learning methods, such as providing children with laptops or devices like the iPad. According to a survey conducted by the EdWeek Research Center, as part of the trade publication Education Week, 90% of school district leaders provided devices to every middle and high school student in March 2021. More than 80% of school district leaders said the same was true for elementary students.