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The Return of Textbooks– by Derrick Nicholas
I recently wrote an article entitled ‘Gadgets Creating More Problems in Education’. In it, I made the point that technology through the steady introduction of electronic devices was threatening to erode the gains that traditional learning had brought.
The article went on to make the point that dependence on electronic devices have led to students’ inability to develop their critical thinking skills. Simple foundational tasks now require an electronic device of one kind or another.
Compounding the problem even further, is the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) sanctioning the ‘limited use’ of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the preparation of candidates’ school-based assessments (SBAs).
We in this region seem to be quickly heading down a slippery slope from which we may never recover. Meanwhile in Denmark they have taken the bold decision to go in the opposite direction.
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The government has banned cellphones in classrooms, as well as other electronic devices.
They are being replaced by traditional textbooks and students’ God given ability to think independent of another human being.
The decision to return to traditional textbooks instead of tablets and other digital devices was based on the fact that, over a period of one decade it was observed that students have trouble concentrating.
Additionally, it was found that most students, instead of focusing on their classwork would be watching a video or worse.
In Denmark, computers are now used sparingly and ALWAYS under supervision. The data suggest that Danish teens spend an average of five hours per day on their electronic devices, and their mental health has worsened according to the Children’s Wellbeing Commission.
Textbooks have long been the cornerstone of educational resources, providing structured and comprehensive content that supports learning.
Textbooks offer a coherent flow of information, guiding students through complex topics in a systematic manner. This helps students build upon their knowledge incrementally, reinforcing concepts.
For example, mathematics textbooks often introduce fundamental concepts before advancing to more complex theories. This enable students to develop a strong foundation before tackling more challenging problems.
Textbooks provide detailed explanations, examples and exercises that promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Textbooks serve as valuable tools for long-term retention of information.
Studies have shown that physical textbooks can enhance learning by reducing distractions that often accompany electronic devices.
Harvard University professor, Steven Pinker agrees with this assertion.
He admits: “students do read less…they spend more time on extracurricular activities than on classwork.” Professor Pinker agrees with something that I have been saying for a long time “taking notes leads to better memory than using a screen.”
He cites the principle of cognitive psychology: “when you have to think about something, you have got to process its meaning, when it’s not just a bunch of words, then you actually remember better.”
If we are to overcome the other challenges in education, we must find a way to make students read more.
One sure way of achieving this goal, is by getting our students to read from actual textbooks, instead of an online version which is placed on Google Classroom.
The tactile experience of flipping through pages can aid in memory retention, as students are more likely to engage with the material actively.
Antigua and Barbuda and indeed the rest of the OECS, need to go in the direction where the evidence points – not backwards. Our students deserve no less.
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I agree. It’s not just habits. Electronic media early on actually robs them of the development of certain areas of their brain that they will need later in life. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs knew this and they allowed their children to use very little electronics when young
I did read the article coming out of Denmark and wondered if the government/education officials saw and read it also. I hope they do and take the bold decision to reverse some of the policies here which have been detrimental to our young people being successful academically. Good article author!
Other Scandinavian countries and Australia have also reduced use of electronic media in the classroom and are returning to textbooks.
We in the Caribbean feel that we much do like the bigger countries to show that we too are ‘in things’, and that we operate on the same level like them.
We fail to understand that is not so. Most times we do not have the same teaching aids, facilities, opportunities, etc, but we do not want to admit that. Parents are too ready to show that their little six year old could navigate a tablet or iPhone just as well as they can. Yet this child does not know his ABCs. Kids at that age are being taught things they should be taught later, but parents and teachers have big egos, and are not focusing on teaching them to read and write and do basic maths. This failure is felt very strong in the high schools. Many would be amazed at how many students writing CXC now cannot read, and especially CANNOT WRITE properly.
Students from the Caribbean were once known as well grounded in the basics of education. This is no longer the case. Our education planners have gone away from that and are fighting to keep up with the larger countries that have most amenities.
CXC has become obsolete and must be changed. They are now more into adding “trashy” subjects to their offerings just to make sure that they get much more money from students signing up for them. Their focus now is watering down subjects when students do not measure up in those offered. The standard by which they mark is getting lower and lower.
Their attempt at the SBA measurement is a failure. Students begin exams in April and now in March they are still spending time on SBA and losing precious time that should be devoting to their studies. Besides, there is dishonesty with the SBAs. Some parents are hiring persons to write their children’s SBAs. Some teachers are lazy and do not spend time monitoring the students’ drafts. Some students are lazy and do not pull their weight on group projects.
All this talk about bringing in AI is nonsense. There are exam students who produce assignments taken from AI for assessment. It therefore comes as a shock to them when they realize that they would not be able to take AI with them in the exam room. This as we have seen, can lead to cheating and disgrace for some students.
Some teachers, like the author of this piece, are smart enough toss out CXC’s book-less nonsense. Unfortunately, parents are not often aware of how short-changed their children are because they are often fooled by the very high grades given to them by either lazy or dishonest teachers.
This is exam time, and parents of children who are writing exams, whether CSEC or National Assessment, need to start paying more attention to how their children match up in their preparation, and what is coming off the teacher’s desk. Some exam teachers send students into exams knowing they did not complete the syllabus with them. Some hope that parents will engage tutors to prepare their students.
My wife and I are graduates and our academic background has gone a long way to help our young ones to write their exams and come out successfully. Unfortunately, it is not the same for most parents.
The handwriting is on the wall. We will soon be reaping the result of all this neglect by our Caribbean education officials.
Call me old fashioned, but I love the look and feel of text books; and I loved to write and enjoy the play on words. Even today, I’ll look up my dictionary to find a new word. I love it, and reading it keeps my mind very alert and active.
As a student I thoroughly enjoyed doing assignments: and I also recalled when writing, whilst many other pupils were on their first page, I was normally pushing on to my third or fourth. I’ll put all my words down on paper and then amend accordingly.
My English teacher encouraged me no end to read and write, and it goes without saying that it’s help me in adulthood.
So I wholeheartedly agree on restricting the use of electronic devices for schoolchildren, and get them back to reading more text books.
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