Student in class texting on a cellphone that is hidden by a larger book. Photo: Scholastic/file photo.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro asked the nation’s educators to open a discussion on the use of technological tools in classrooms, since there are studies concluding that the indiscriminate use of mobile phones can be detrimental to students’ education.
On Monday, August 28, President Maduro asked the opinion of the Minister of Education, Yelitze Santaella, about the subject. Santaella said that the constant and uncontrolled use of tablets and cell phones in classrooms is “affecting the cognitive and creative development of children.”
The minister added that permanent exposure to these devices “affects skills and abilities,” which is why “there is an international debate on the use of cell phones and tablets.”
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Countries such as Sweden, France, and Germany have established in legislation the express prohibition of the use of electronic equipment in the classroom because they have identified setbacks in students’ skills.
Sweden had advanced an educational program that included the use of cell phones and tablets as a complement to education, but the results were negative in terms of the students’ ability to interpret and memorize new knowledge.
The experience of these nations led to a return to books as a way of accessing education, with teachers functioning as guides.
Three million books in the Bicentennial Collection
During the television program Con Maduro+, Minister Santaella announced that for the next school period, Venezuela’s government will deliver 3.7 million books to its schools.
She reflected that Venezuela is developing its educational model based on the bicentennial collection, a system that has concluded that “nothing replaces the teacher, the parents, and the embrace that makes us stronger.”
Santaella said that “we have been reviewing positions of psychiatrists” who argue that technology affects the concentration of students when its use is excessive.
Although he praised the virtues of technology, President Maduro said that, in the realm of education for children, “let’s go back to the physical book–to read, to enjoy each page. Let’s go back to reality.”
(Ăšltimas Noticias) by Randolph Borges
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SL?BLA
