Expert: Tablet is sufficient for children up to 12th grade

Nerijus Pačėsa, founder and head of the "Eruditas" Lyceum, asserts that computers and tablets are crucial for children's education, extending beyond mere access to learning materials to foster essential technological literacy. These devices equip students with skills for information retrieval, task completion, project development, and the use of digital learning tools, preparing them for future challenges.

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The problem is not the screen itself, but how it is used.

Pačėsa challenges the notion that screens are inherently harmful, noting that their presence in our lives is long-established. He contends that the issue is not the screen itself but its application. "Twenty or thirty years ago, children also played on computers," he observed. "Some spent less time in front of screens, others more, but the problem was the same." The increased mobility of devices today, he explains, has led to longer screen times, and parents sometimes use screens to occupy or calm children, which can foster dependency.

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Twenty or thirty years ago, children also played on computers. Some spent less time in front of screens, others more, but the problem was the same.

Instead of demonizing devices, Pačėsa believes the focus should shift to usage habits, a responsibility he places primarily on parents at home. He points out that technology can significantly enhance learning in specific areas compared to traditional methods. For instance, repetitive calculation exercises in workbooks are less relevant to future needs than adaptive learning apps that provide immediate feedback and personalized practice. In STEM fields, technology can offer more than traditional classroom instruction.

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It is pointless to perform various calculation tasks in workbooks when you only need to write the correct number or answer by hand, as this has little to do with what will be needed in life.

However, Pačėsa does not advocate for abandoning non-digital learning methods entirely. He stresses the enduring importance of handwriting, describing it as a vital part of the thinking process. Writing by hand demands full cognitive engagement, fostering genuine thought. Conversely, he notes research suggesting keyboard writing can become automatic, potentially reducing the depth of thinking applied to the text. This distinction is particularly relevant as text correction software becomes more prevalent.

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Writing by hand requires complete concentration of the brain on this process. This means that when you write, you are actually thinking and developing your thinking.