To learn better, a child should do it on paper, not on a screen: A new study questions all our certainties

JVTech News To learn better, a child should do it on paper, not on a screen: A new study questions all our certainties

Screens and Education: A Dangerous Association?

In recent years, technology has become ubiquitous and this clearly includes classrooms, including from an early age. More and more schools are equipping their students with tablets or laptops. However, this hurts school textbooks, which, for their part, are becoming scarce…

It must be said that these digital media offer a range of options such as broadcasting documentaries, videos, interactive quizzes while encouraging information seeking and facilitating communication between teachers and parents.

On the other hand, screens also come with significant disadvantages; In particular, they can be a source of distraction and further tire the eyes. But above all A recent study led by neuroscientists at Teachers College, Columbia University It proves that children learn better when they read on paper rather than on a screen. The study was conducted following recent declines in reading and comprehension skills among young Americans.

Do children learn better by reading on paper rather than on a screen?

The study, titled “Middle School Students’ Reading and Processing Depth in Response to Digital and Print Media,” focused on how the format of presentation of texts (digital or printed) influences semantic processing and depth of comprehension in reading among college students.

To do this, the researchers called 59 children between the ages of 10 and 12, which is crucial in terms of education. They read passages in digital and printed formats. While they performed single-word semantic judgment tasks after each passage, high-density EEG was performed to record neural activity.

The results showed superficial reading followed by digital reading, while printed reading showed deeper reading. This indicates that reading printed texts promotes stronger semantic associations and modulates neurophysiological responses. The brain reacts differently depending on the mode of support presented. In short; Children understand and remember text better when they read it on paper than on a screen.

However, the researchers provide a brief conclusion to their research. They do not advise completely abandoning the use of digital media which can be beneficial in cases of reading difficulties, both by providing additional options.. The idea is to favor more handouts and books for everything related to direct learning, and use screens for additional activities. As is often the case, finding a good balance is important.

Additionally, some countries, such as Sweden, are moving back to reducing the number of screens in school and returning to more traditional education.. After some time encouraging a more engaging approach to education by opting for digital media, Sweden has seen a decline in educational standards. The Education Minister specifically decried the lack of critical thinking.