Sweden is returning to traditional education methods after 15 years: a new focus is to be set with 104 million euros for printed books and other reforms.
This is the situation in Sweden: Sweden has long been considered a pioneer in the digitalization of education. Starting in 2009, traditional textbooks were replaced by tablets, computers and digital learning platforms. The idea behind it was to make teaching more modern, interactive and efficient. But the plan doesn’t seem to be working.
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After years of using digital devices in teaching, the latest studies and recommendations from the Karolinska Institute and UNESCO reveal serious problem areas:
Despite continued high levels of education, the Swedish government is observing a general decline in critical thinking skills and an over-reliance on digital media. Many parents in Sweden also complain that their children use these devices primarily for entertainment and less for learning, reports 3DJuegos.
What should be changed now? In view of current developments, the Swedish government under Education Minister Lotta Edholm has decided on a fundamental realignment in the education system.
Edholm, who is part of the center-right coalition that has ruled Sweden for almost a year, is backing a return to traditional teaching methods. The digitization course initiated in 2009 is now to be partially reversed – with a clear package of measures:
Otherwise, the obligation that daycare centers must provide digital devices should be abolished. Digital learning should be completely canceled for children under six years of age. The aim of these measures is to improve basic education and enable students to learn more sustainably and with greater concentration.
A hybrid model as a solution
What does this mean for the future? The turnaround is being watched closely internationally. Sweden, once celebrated throughout the EU as a role model for modern education, shows with this decision that digitalization is not always the only right way.
The UNESCO World Education Report 2023 makes it clear that “there is currently not enough reliable data on the effects of digital technologies in the education sector”. These would often come from the commercial providers of the technologies themselves.
A hybrid, i.e. combined, learning model that combines digital and analog tools is intended to promote students’ learning motivation and success. Digital media offers interactive and multimedia content that makes it easier to understand complex topics, while analog materials support fine motor skills and deeper understanding of texts.
Recent research results (via Springer) show that combining both approaches can lead to better learning outcomes in the long term. However, due to the current nature and speed of technical development and use in everyday school life, ongoing investigation and observation is required.
Other countries such as France (via the German school portal) have already taken more radical measures, for example by banning smartphones in schools. It remains to be seen whether Sweden will actually achieve an improvement by returning to books.
If the use of digital tools in school goes too far, problems can arise. A US student used AI to do his homework and was sued by his school for it. You can read the story here: Two students were punished for using AI for a task – The court ruled that the teacher acted correctly.