Sweden returns to traditional education methods after 15 years: With 104 million euros for printed books and other reforms, a new focus is to be set.
This is the situation in Sweden: Sweden has long been considered a pioneer in the digitalization of education. Since 2009, traditional textbooks have been replaced by tablets, computers, and digital learning platforms. The idea behind this was to make teaching more modern, interactive, and efficient. However, the plan seems not to be working out.
Artificial intelligence in a spy glasses? You can see what it’s about here:
After years of using digital devices in classrooms, recent studies and recommendations from the Karolinska Institute and UNESCO reveal serious problem areas:
- Declining reading and writing skills: Swedish students have struggled to understand longer texts and have had problems with analytical reading. Younger children are particularly affected.
- Concentration problems: Children and adolescents have been distracted by games and social media.
Despite a continued high level of education, the Swedish government observes a general decline in critical thinking skills as well as an excessive reliance on digital media. Many parents in Sweden also complain that their children use these devices mainly for entertainment rather than learning, reports 3DJuegos.
What should be changed now? In light of current developments, the Swedish government under Minister of Education Lotta Edholm has decided on a fundamental redirection in the education sector.
Edholm, who is part of the center-right coalition that has been governing Sweden for almost a year, is advocating a return to traditional teaching methods. The digitalization course initiated in 2009 is now to be partially rolled back – with a clear package of measures:
- up to 104 million euros for printed textbooks: By 2026, all schools are to be fully equipped with physical teaching materials again to promote more sustainable learning.
- Restrictions on digital devices: Tablets and smartphones will only be used limitedly in classrooms moving forward.
- Focus on classical teaching methods: Teachers will be increasingly trained in traditional teaching forms to provide a combination of teaching methods.
Additionally, the requirement for pre-schools to provide digital devices will be abolished. Digital learning will be completely removed for children under six years old. The aim of these measures is to improve foundational education and enable students to return to more sustainable and focused learning.
A hybrid model as a solution
What does this mean for the future? The turnaround is being closely watched internationally. Sweden, once celebrated across the EU as a model for modern education, is showing with this decision that digitalization is not always the only right way.
The UNESCO World Education Report 2023 makes clear that “currently there is still too little reliable data on the effects of digital technologies in the education sector.” Often, these data come from the commercial providers of the technologies themselves.
A hybrid, or combined learning model, which combines digital and analog tools, is intended to enhance students’ learning motivation and success. Digital media provide interactive and multimedia content that facilitates the understanding of complex topics, while analog materials support fine motor skills and deeper text comprehension.
Recent research results (via Springer) show that the combination of both approaches can lead to better learning outcomes in the long term. However, due to the timeliness and rapid technological development as well as its implementation in everyday school life, ongoing investigation and observation are necessary.
Other countries like France (via deutsches Schulportal) have already taken more radical measures by banning smartphones in schools, for example. Whether Sweden will actually achieve an improvement by returning to books remains to be seen.
If the use of digital aids in school goes too far, it can also lead to problems. A U.S. student used AI for his homework and was sued by his school for it. You can read the story here: Two students were punished for using AI for an assignment – The court ruled that the teacher acted correctly.
