«Digital should not replace books»

Chiara,15, thinks that digital media makes learning easier. Nevertheless, the third year pupil is against tablets and the like replacing books and paper.

"I think it makes sense for schools to use digital media in lessons, sometimes it's really easier to learn with them. For example, we use toporopa.eu for geography, history or political topics, where there are interactive quizzes about Europe and the EU. It makes these subjects easier. I also often practise maths online; every pupil has an account on the mathbuch.info platform, which is a supplement to our maths book.
At school, we work on the computer on average twice a week. When the computer room is occupied, some teachers allow us to research information on our mobile phones. That really surprised me at first - if they catch you using your device during the break, it's gone. How and where we research is up to us. Which information do I trust? We've never discussed that in class.
At home, I spend two to three hours a day on the screen, depending on how much there is to do for school. What I've noticed is that I often remember exam material better if I write down summaries by hand instead of typing them into my laptop.
I like working with digital media, but I don't want it to replace books and paper at school. I think it's good to work with something tangible in between lessons, when we're otherwise glued to the screen the whole time. I don't like the idea that everyone only needs a tablet in class.
I also spend a lot of time on my mobile phone, but there are clear rules for using it at home: One evening a week I'm allowed to use it in my room, on two evenings I can use it in the living room. The other two evenings are mobile-free and belong to the family - for eating, talking or watching films together. At the weekend, we watch whatever suits us. I think that's a good thing."

Read more in our dossier "Digital revolution in the classroom":

  • Interview: Philippe Wampfler gilt als Vorreiter und Experte für den Einsatz neuer Medien an Schulen. Herr Wampfler, machen digitale Medien Schule besser?
  • Übersicht: Mit der Einführung des Lehrplan 21 in vielen Schweizer Kantonen bekommen  «Medien und Informatik» eine grössere Bedeutung an den Volksschulen. Was steht genau drin und was bedeutet das für welche Altersstufe?
  • Porträt: Stefan Bienz findet, dass die Schule das Potenzial digitaler Medien zu wenig ausschöpft. Der Vater zweier Teenager findet: «Die Schule soll besser aufklären»
Sarina,11, verbringt zu Hause viel Zeit vor dem Bildschirm. In der Schule arbeitet die Sechstklässlerin regelmässig am Computer, würde aber auch Tablets und Smartphones im Klassenzimmer begrüssen.
Sarina,11, spends a lot of time in front of the screen at home. The sixth-grader regularly works on her computer at school, but would also welcome tablets and smartphones in the classroom.

"Unfortunately, mobile phones are banned in class
"

Noé ist in die Oberstufe übergetreten und hofft, dass digitale Medien dort auch auf dem Stundenplan stehen. In der sechsten Klasse übte sich der 13-Jährige bereits im Programmieren.
Noé has moved on to secondary school and hopes that digital media will also be on the timetable there. The 13-year-old already practised programming in sixth grade.

"I don't have a mobile phone, which is really annoying"