MIT Reports Digital Gadgets Do Not Help Learning and the National Education Policy Center Suggests A Pause
No Digital Gadget Exposure for Kids of Tech Elite
Many Silicon Valley leaders prohibit exposure of their children to digital gadgets, including iPads, smartphones and even banning use by their nannies while at work. Several current reports suggest why these parents are making this choice.
The National Education Policy Center at University of Colorado, Boulder, found “self-interested advocacy by the technology industry” as a factor in investing in installing and using digital devices in classrooms.
Personalized Learning and the Digital Privatization of Curriculum and Teaching Faith Boninger, Alex Molnar, and Christopher Saldaña Read more here.
Researchers have now produced actual evidence questioning the use of digital gadgets in schools. Quotes from the report in the January/February 2020 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Technology Review:
“Teachers don’t know much about how well digital tools work, but they support using them.”
“Most students in the US are using ed tech tools every day.”
“College students who used laptops or digital devices did worse on exams.”
“Eighth graders who took Algebra I online did much worse than those who took the course in person.”
To read the whole article (online by subscription only) and see the data and charts begin on page 18 of the paper January/February 2020 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Technology Review.
