Paper learning loses priority in a world of digitalization

With the internet at their fingertips, students have weaker work ethics and memories. In the past, students had to use libraries, card catalogs and typewriters to complete research assignments, which all required more effort than modern methods. photo by Mae Bearden

In the past decade, school systems have transformed dramatically due to the emergence of education technology. While the classroom used to consist of face-to-face interactions and physical learning materials, it is now flooded with digital textbooks, online assignments and video lectures. According to a blog post by Impact, 75% of teachers think that paper textbooks will be completely replaced by digital resources in the next 10 years. Some people are excited by this technological advancement, but for others a question remains to be answered: is this change really for the better?

Although this transformation might have occurred eventually, COVID-19 was the primary factor that introduced technology into education. In 2020, schools were forced to halt their usual activities and transfer to online platforms. When the rest of the world returned to normal operations, teachers realized the benefits digital resources brought to the classroom. Learning on a screen is more cost effective than printing thousands of pages that will only be used for a short period of time. While students can find traditional classroom activities unengaging, digital resources offer more variety to keep their attention. Because of these benefits, many teachers continue to implement online activities into their everyday lessons.

“Most of our students spend a great deal of time on the computer and are accustomed to interacting with online resources, videos, games, etc.,” head of the literature department Mrs. Angela Drury said. “Using the computer for a variety of tasks is second nature. So the digital textbook gives students the opportunity to interact with the content of their courses in a way that they feel comfortable.”

Even though technology can be helpful in the field of education, many people continue to doubt its influence on students’ ability to learn. In a study conducted by Columbia University Teachers College, scientists observed students exhibiting greater cognitive ability when reading paper text as opposed to digital text. The study suggested that when reading from paper, students reached a higher level of comprehension and retention of the material. According to Psychology Today, comprehension may even be six to eight times better when reading from a physical book. Paper books hold fewer distractions and offer physical interaction, such as highlighting or turning a page, which deepen the reader’s concentration. 

“I believe there is something about the tactile experience and the process of writing that

facilitates learning,” Mrs. Drury said. “Personally, I know that my favorite way to study in college was by reading my notes and handwriting summaries of the notes in the margins.”

Since this generation is accustomed to digital activities, reading and writing on paper can serve as a challenge. Physical textbooks have become foreign objects with the rising popularity of digital reading and entertainment. Some teachers, however, aim to offer a balanced educational experience by including both digital and physical learning materials.

“Our students are digital natives and are probably more comfortable with a computer than with a

print reference book, print encyclopedia or handwriting everything,” Mrs. Drury said. “However, it is good to mix it up for the purposes of increasing learning and interaction between students. The fact still remains that handwriting, tactile experiences and social interactions are important learning strategies.”