Riihimäki transitions from digital to traditional learning materials in upper secondary schools

The city of Riihimäki has decided to replace digital learning materials in upper secondary schools with traditional paper-based resources. Previously, the city was a forerunner in promoting the use of digital materials and robotics education in Finland, providing all students with laptops and primarily digital textbooks. However, a recent city investigation has prompted a major policy shift.

Jari Lausvaara, the city’s Director of Education, noted concerns among teachers, parents, and decision-makers regarding the impact of learning through digital devices on students’ education and well-being. To address these concerns, a comprehensive survey was conducted in December 2023 and January 2024, collecting nearly 2,000 responses from students, parents, and teachers, making it potentially the first survey of its kind in Finland.

The survey revealed that while teachers find digital materials effective for providing additional challenges and assessing digital skills, they also acknowledge that paper materials are better suited for reinforcing skills and supporting concentration, particularly in learning the Finnish language. Many parents expressed a preference for their teenagers to use paper resources over electronic ones, citing the concern of increasing screen time.

Specifically, the survey results indicated that a seventh grader was projected to spend 22 out of 32 weekly hours on their laptop under the previous system, a number that has since been halved to 11 hours after the shift. Students themselves felt that electronic materials were more suitable for them, particularly in subjects like physics, chemistry, and foreign languages.

Starting this fall, Riihimäki’s upper secondary schools will implement a greater use of traditional paper materials, having ordered printed textbooks for subjects like mathematics, English, Swedish, and German. The use of electronic materials will continue but will be limited to supplemental resources.

As for student laptops, they will only grant access to educational sites and applications, and devices will be locked from 10 PM to 6 AM. The city emphasizes that while technology will still support learning, the focus will shift towards more traditional methods.