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Schools ditch laptops for digital detox
8 Nov
Summary
- Students will return to technology-free classrooms for years 7 to 10.
- Teacher feedback on device removal was not unanimous, some preferred less.
- Handwriting is scientifically proven to aid learning and retention.
Marian Catholic College in Sydney's north-west will effectively ban one-to-one technology for students in years 7 to 10 starting next year. Principal Matthew Smith noted a strong sentiment that devices pose a problem, impacting focused attention, reducing working memory, and creating barriers between students and teachers. This decision emerged from a survey of teachers, students, and parents, supporting a shift towards explicit instruction methods.
The NSW curriculum mandates occasional computer use, so some laptops will remain for selective purposes, and teachers will continue to integrate technology. However, the school prioritizes critical thinking over digital literacy, as students already extensively use devices outside school hours. This aligns with global trends where technology uptake has been linked to declining academic outcomes.
Across Australia, primary school curricula are being rewritten to de-emphasize digital skills, with NAPLAN writing tests for Year 5 students returning to pen and paper. NSW Education Minister Prue Car has implemented screen time caps and highlighted the cognitive benefits of handwriting over typing. Previously, public schools recommended parents purchase laptops, but the NSW government now states this will not be a requirement.
The broader push away from digital classrooms is partly a response to the "edtech" industry boom and the pandemic's reliance on digital learning. Movements like the Heads Up Alliance in Australia are advocating for device-free primary education, restored handwriting skills, and the use of physical books, viewing the 2008 Digital Education Revolution as a "vast experiment" with detrimental results.
Research supports the move, indicating handwriting enhances learning, information retention, and cognitive engagement more effectively than typing. While some educators note the challenge of reintroducing handwriting due to diminished practice in earlier years, others, like the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, are investing in physical books and handwriting practice. The transition away from technology may be difficult for schools reliant on edtech for teacher shortages, and parents accustomed to skill-focused, project-based learning may also need to adjust their expectations.
