Icelandic authorities urged to halt new educational technology

Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, an educator, neuroscientist, and learning theorist, is calling for a significant reassessment of technology's role in schools, advocating for a return to traditional, evidence-based teaching methods. He believes that current technological integration is negatively impacting student learning and urges educational authorities worldwide to redefine their relationship with technology.

Horvath specifically advises Icelandic education authorities to begin by pausing the introduction of new technologies. He suggests a two-year moratorium on new tech, during which schools should audit the technology already in place. "We don't need more programs, we don't need more devices, we have enough," Horvath stated, emphasizing that many existing subscriptions are for programs that are rarely used, leading to unnecessary costs.

He proposes that after auditing current systems, schools should analyze the effectiveness and cost-benefit of existing programs. By identifying and eliminating underperforming or redundant technologies, funds could be reallocated to essential areas like educational material development and teacher training. Horvath believes this process will clarify which technologies are truly beneficial for learning when compared to other pedagogical approaches.

Once the existing technology is thoroughly reviewed, Horvath suggests presenting these findings to senior authorities. This analysis should inform decisions about which technologies are essential, which can be discarded, and establish a clear process for introducing new technology in the future. He also advocates for placing the burden of proof on technology developers to demonstrate the pedagogical value and effectiveness of their products before they are adopted into the school system.

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Það þarf að setja alveg stopp á nýja tækni í eitt, tvö ár og skoða þá tækni sem er nú þegar inni í kerfinu. Við þurfum ekki fleiri forrit, við þurfum ekki fleiri tæki, við höfum alveg nóg.