Ars Technica4d ago
Sweden goes back to basics, swapping screens for books in the classroom
Sweden is bringing back books amid declining test scores.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/04/sweden-goes-back-to-basics-swapping-screens-for-books-in-the-classroom/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Show threadAndreas M. Heitmann 4d ago
@arstechnica Let's make the children carry kilograms of books again. Yeah, that's good, I guess. At least for chiropractors ... 😳🙄
Show threadHermannus Stegeman4d ago
@AndyGER @arstechnica yes. It truly is. They can handle it.
Show threadAndreas M. Heitmann 4d ago

@hermannus @arstechnica We children had to handle it for half a century because adults act like stubborn idiots …

Now we have the technology to change exactly that and what we see is people moving backwards.

Show threadHermannus Stegeman4d ago
@AndyGER @arstechnica I don't think you understand that books and digital technology can't offer exactly the same thing.
Technology can help, but it isn't an equal substitute. So we shouldn't treat it as such. Using books is no move backwards, using only technology was. So this is repairing a broken education system.
Same appears with the use of AI now btw
Show threadAndreas M. Heitmann 4d ago

@hermannus @arstechnica I disagree. If you want children to read books, motivate them in their free time with opportunities. School time is about effective learning. Not how to handle a book.

So if they have to carry high weights in order to read books, it is a bad idea.

How about you carry 30 kg with you for five days and eight hours a day? Just try it out. Have fun …

Show threadHermannus Stegeman4d ago
@AndyGER @arstechnica effective learning requires books. Have you read the article?
Show thread0mnicore3d ago
@hermannus @AndyGER @arstechnica It also has a lot to do with the fact that we are physical beings and we must interact with the physical world . Digital is an extension that should come into play only when a sturdy basis of capabilities, mental and physical are well into place. Definitely elementary school should be digital free.
Show threadAndreas M. Heitmann 3d ago

@omnicore @hermannus @arstechnica I still disagree and I do not follow your argument.

We learn early how to handle information. Books are important. But they are not more important than modern media and technology that provides it.

Let me put it that way. A good story is a good read or a good movie or a good game. The media provides it as technology does. It still is the same story. (1/2)

Show threadAndreas M. Heitmann 3d ago

Children have to learn how to learn and technology help them with it. Plus, technology eases the path for them.

What I can read here is adults being afraid of technology because they can barely manage. They are afraid of losing contact to their children. Which will indefinitely happen at some point in their lives.

So it is once more a question of ideology and this is stupid … (2/2)
@omnicore @hermannus @arstechnica

Show thread0mnicore3d ago
@AndyGER @hermannus @arstechnica Do you have children? As a parent that is now 41 years into computers I can assure you, you are 100% wrong
Show threadWorik

@omnicore @AndyGER @hermannus @arstechnica From 1990 through today, my children and grandchildren and my communities kids, all with screen time mostly at will (modern YouTube excepted, evil trash) I found that I could not keep them inside if I wanted to

They require some prompting, some times, but teeth cleaning was always a bigger issue than being outside.

This is a moral panic.

Apr 3 at 12:15amWeb
Show threadWorik2d ago
@omnicore The social media companies are changing the picture with deliberate addictive policies. The soution to that is to stop them peddling g addictive content to us all, not discriminatory age limits that blame parents
Show threadHermannus Stegeman2d ago
@worik @omnicore @AndyGER @arstechnica this is not about screentime.