RESPONSE TO KAROLINSKA STATEMENT: "FOCUS ON HOW DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN SCHOOLS SUCCEEDS, NOT IF IT HAPPENS".

In a joint response to the widely discussed Karolinska Statement, educators and researchers have expressed their opinions in the online magazine "Campus Schulmanagement". Among the contributors are well-known figures from the education sector, including our IWM Director, Prof. Dr Ulrike Cress, and Prof. Dr Peter Gerjets, who leads the Multimodal Interaction lab at the IWM.

The prestigious Karolinska Institute in Sweden, renowned for its work in medicine and health sciences, published a statement in April 2023 that also attracted considerable attention in Germany. The statement highlighted research showing that increased digitalisation in schools, especially through the frequent use of digital devices in the classroom, has a negative impact on students' learning, especially on their concentration and study habits.

Important stimulus, but paints a black and white picture

While acknowledging the Karolinska Statement as a valuable catalyst for discussion, the authors of the response criticise it for oversimplification. They note that the broad reception of the statement in Germany has led to an exaggerated perception of the risks of digitisation, sometimes even leading to calls for a halt to digitisation efforts - a reaction that they argue lacks a scientific basis.

Less digitalisation in German schools? No!

Contrary to calls for less digitalisation in German schools, the authors stress the importance of focusing on the quality, rather than the quantity, of technology use in the classroom. They point to research that demonstrates the potential of digital technologies to enhance learning.
The authors argue for a forward-looking approach, emphasising the need for intelligent use of new technologies. They argue that the discussion should move beyond the mere provision of technology and focus on ensuring successful digital transformation in schools. "In other words, it's not a question of WHETHER, but of HOW successful digital transformation in schools will be."

Education experts warn of two potential short-sighted responses: blindly adopting policies from other countries, and failing to critically evaluate initiatives and projects for evidence and potential impact.

Further Information:

"We should not be distracted by the statement of the Karolinska Institute", a response by Tim Fütterer, Peter Gerjets, Ulrike Cress, Andreas Lachner, Detmar Meurers, Olaf Köller, Frank Fischer, Katharina Scheiter, Ralph Müller-Eiselt, Florian Nuxoll, Patrick Bronner, Bob Blume, Ulrich Trautwein in the online magazine Campus Schulmanagement.