● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 negative
Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath argues educational technology reduces cognitive ability in children
Key points
- Horvath states children are less cognitively capable than previous generations.
- He links declining IQ scores and international test results to increased edtech use.
- The edtech market is valued at £6.5bn in the UK and $400bn in the US.
- Horvath believes tech is not a good tool for learning deep knowledge.
Concerns Over Declining Cognitive Abilities
Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath asserts that children today are less cognitively capable than previous generations. He attributes this decline to the widespread adoption of screens and digital tools in educational settings, a trend he believes began around the year 2000.
Horvath notes that IQ scores across Western countries have started to fall since 2000, despite an increase in time spent in school. He also points to dropping scores in international academic tests as evidence of this trend.
The Rise of Educational Technology
Horvath identifies the rapid growth of educational technology (edtech) as the primary cause for the observed cognitive decline. He highlights the significant market size of edtech, which generates an annual turnover of approximately £6.5 billion in the UK and $400 billion in the US.
The widespread adoption of laptops in schools, particularly in the US, accelerated between 2010 and 2012. The COVID-19 pandemic further cemented digital learning, with many schools retaining digital practices even after the pandemic's immediate impact subsided. In the US, 88% of school districts now use one-to-one computer programs.
Ineffectiveness of Tech for Deep Learning
Based on over 15 years of research into how people learn, Horvath concludes that technology is not an effective tool for fostering deep, transferable knowledge. He cites recent scores from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which tracks the academic performance of 15-year-olds globally, as supporting his view.
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Reporting from
Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath claims that the increased use of screens and digital tools in schools since 2000 has led to a decline in children's cognitive capabilities and IQ scores. He advocates for reducing educational technology in classrooms, asserting it is not an effective learning tool for developing deep, transferable knowledge.