Sweden is officially trading screens and tablets for physical books and handwriting to reverse a decline in reading skills. Once at the forefront of hyper-digitalized learning, Sweden is engineering a dramatic pivot back to the basics in its classrooms.
Concerned that an overreliance on digital tablets and screens has eroded reading comprehension and foundational writing skills, Swedish education officials are investing heavily in traditional printed textbooks.
The national strategy aims to phase out digital devices for children under the age of six entirely, following a drop in international reading assessment scores. Experts point out that while technology was championed to level the playing field, its unrestricted use has instead led to shorter attention spans and reduced retention among younger learners.
Scientific evidence strongly supports this retro transition. Research indicates that the physical act of handwriting activates complex neural networks governing motor skills, vision, memory, and language—cognitive benefits that are largely lost on a keyboard.
Furthermore, reading from a printed page provides critical spatial cues that aid comprehension, unlike digital screens that often subject students to cognitive fatigue and constant distractions. While computers and tablets remain valuable tools for research and collaboration, educators worldwide are watching Sweden’s massive reinvestment in physical books as a potential blueprint for a more balanced, science-backed approach to modern schooling. source: The Guardian. Switching off: Sweden says back-to-basics schooling works on paper.
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
canisgallicus 