In Ukraine, historian and educator Andrey Stetsyuk recently discussed this topic on the podcast "Boulevard Shevchenko." He emphasized that countries like Finland, which initially embraced interactive technologies in classrooms, are now reverting to traditional teaching tools such as notebooks and pens.
Finland's decision to heavily rely on digital tools, once seen as innovative, has led to a decline in fundamental writing skills and critical thinking among students. This shift reflects an understanding that technology should enhance, rather than replace, essential skills.
Stetsyuk also noted that children often become accustomed to gadgets at home, where they are sometimes used as distractions rather than learning tools.
This dependence on technology, he argues, can create an addiction and hinder children's development of important skills like handwriting, information organization, and critical thinking.
Such abilities, Stetsyuk believes, are crucial for intellectual development and should be nurtured through hands-on activities.
The trend of limiting gadget use in European schools further underscores the value of these fundamental skills. While digital tools can enrich education, a balanced approach is key to preserving these critically important foundational skills.