EPSON EDUCATION REPORT
Back to basics New research from Epson shows that most teachers and parents want a greater focus on physical learning materials such as worksheets in the classroom – which means the printer will retain its importance to this sector.
The education channel remains a valuable route for resellers, although in recent years, there has been a focus on laptops and similar devices for students, rather than the more traditional emphasis on print and physical resources. But there are signs that this trend may start to reverse a little, as there is evidence emerging that too much focus on learning
support differing learning styles. Alice Ramdsen de Gomez, product manager from Epson, agrees that hard copies can help accommodate different learning styles. “I have a niece with special educational needs, and when it comes to that interactive engagement with her, you get more out of her when you're doing something on paper or where she's able to use her hands and draw and explain,” she says. “It's using all your senses to get information into the child and to teach as well, because everyone has different ways of learning. “In addition, everyone still needs to be able to write clearly, you can't just be dependent upon a keyboard. Also, you're not necessarily going to learn spelling as effectively if you're using a keyboard because it can autocorrect for you.” Education solutions So with potentially more emphasis on physical materials, it could mean teachers will be looking to print more resources in future. Alice says that in schools, large floor-standing copiers are often used for large volumes of printing, such as letters to parents. However, smaller printers could also be effectively used in classrooms to help personalise learning. “Schools tend to focus on larger units,” she says. “They don't always realise that smaller printers are a resource that might be
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New research, commissioned by Epson, shows 67% of UK teachers and 63% of UK parents want a greater focus on hard copy materials such as textbooks and worksheets in classrooms.
through laptops and tablets can be detrimental to children’s education.
New research, commissioned by Epson, shows 67% of UK teachers and 63% of UK parents want a greater focus on hard copy materials such as textbooks and worksheets in classrooms. But 42% of teachers polled said they believed laptops and tablets can have a detrimental effect on learning. Conversely, 85% of teachers and parents have seen positive impacts from the use of traditional hard copy textbooks and worksheets in classrooms. The statistics support growing academic evidence that children learn better on paper than on screens. Some European governments are now acting. In February 2024, Lotta Edholm, Sweden’s Minister for Schools, said: “One gets the best conditions for developing basic skills in reading and writing in analogue environments using analogue tools.” At the same time, the minister announced an investment in textbooks of about €44 million a year from 2024. When asked to reflect on the impact tablets and laptops can have in the classroom, 85% of teachers noted one or more challenges, with 34% saying they’ve seen a decline in reading skills, 24% say it’s reduced knowledge retention, 31% noted a reduction in engagement, while 8% say they’ve seen a correlation with reduced attainment. But 63% of teachers say traditional hard copy textbooks and worksheets improve reading skills, while 38% of teachers and 43% of parents say they allow greater knowledge retention. In addition, 49% of teachers and 53% of parents say these materials better
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Lotta Edholm Minister for Schools, Sweden
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