Digitisation once seemed like the future for education - but new evidence shows that the best way forward may be to stick with traditional methods of learning. 

In the early 2010s, many schools across Ireland replaced school textbooks with iPads, following the example of countries like Sweden, which led the drive into the digitalisation of education.

However, Sweden has now announced a return to physical books, as they believe digital education is not working.

The move is set to cost the Swedish government around €50 million on new books.

Primary school principal Simon Lewis told The Anton Savage Show this technology was never used to its promised potential.

"They didn't follow through with what technology can do when it comes to education," he said.

"I think they just didn't go beyond that replacement model of you have your books on the screen, they had annotation - but you can do that with a highlighter, you can bookmark a page - you can do that with actual sticky notes, and things like that.

"The real power of technology is what it can do; I've argued for years and years that the technology isn't just a tool, it's a way of doing things."

Children using iPads in classroom with teacher. Image: Michael Folmer / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Lewis said it is a pity that these tools are being removed from classrooms, as it could have helped children to develop technology skills needed later in life.

"There is power in that, where you can personalise learning to any student, whatever their level, whatever they need," he said.

"I think, rather than going back to the basics - because whenever I hear that, I feel it's nearly an admission of failure - that [instead] you need to figure out, 'Okay, well, why is this not working? What are we not doing?'

"Because every job in the world, no matter what it is, it relies on technology now, and I don't think education can be different."

Combination

According to Mr Lewis, technology doesn't need to replace traditional methods, and the two should instead be used in tandem.

"What I see technology being brilliant at is it allows you to break the four walls of the classroom down so you can do things that you couldn't do without it," he said.

"I always say, like, if you can't do something better with technology, well, then don't use it.

"Use your books, go outside, rather than saying, 'Oh, no, we must use it all day, every day'."

Mr Lewis said we should question what we want children to be able to achieve using technology before we throw it out of the classroom.

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Main image: Students using an iPad in school.