The EdTech Wake-up Call: Rethinking Digital Learning for Kids

The St. John Parent Association, in partnership with ParentMap, provided an opportunity to hear Jared Cooney Horvath, Ph.D.- director of LME Global – speak on March 10, 2026.  

Link to this and all previous ParentEd videos: https://vimeo.com/showcase/parentedtalks-25-26 

Access password: edTalks*2526

Key Takeaways:

The “Inverse Correlation” Rule: Both international (PISA/TIMS) and US data (NAPE) show a direct correlation between increased classroom technology and dropping test scores. High-tech usage is linked to a performance gap of up to two grade levels compared to analog-heavy schooling, as technology often introduces a plateau in reading and math skills.

The Empathy & Resonance Factor: Humans are biologically “wired” to learn through empathy. In-person learning allows for a “transpersonal resonance” where a teacher and student’s physiologies—including breathing and brain patterns—synchronize. This biological connection helps students push through the “struggle” of learning; technology cannot replicate this, contributing to high dropout rates in online-only environments.

The “Home Analog” Pivot (Buy a Printer): One of the most immediate strategies for parents is to buy a printer. Because the brain uses spatial memory (remembering exactly where a word was on a static piece of paper), reading on a shifting digital screen essentially “dumps” an entire memory system. Printing out homework and readings restores this 3D location-based learning.

AI as an “Expert Tool,” Not a “Learning Tool”: AI is primarily a productivity tool for experts who already have the foundational knowledge to vet its output. For a novice student, offloading cognitive effort to AI reduces the mental “struggle” necessary to wire the brain’s neural connections. True expertise is built through “desirable difficulty,” which AI often bypasses.

The 50-Minute “Deep Work” Strategy: To combat multitasking—which forces the brain into an automatic “muscle memory” mode rather than deep recall—parents can suggest a deal: Two 25-minute sessions of focused, offline study with a short break. This 50 minutes of focused work results in up to 60% better retention than four hours of multitasking.

Handwriting as “Thinking”: Unlike typing, which is fast and often leads to verbatim transcription without processing, handwriting is a slower, deliberate act of composition. It forces the brain to process meaning and depth while writing, leading to more “durable” and transferable knowledge.

The Power of Parental Advocacy: In an increasingly digital landscape, parents play a vital role in ensuring a balanced approach to education. By requesting objective data on student performance and advocating for the continued use of proven analog methods, parents can help schools maintain a focus on the deep, focused thinking that traditional tools provide.

Additional resources

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