Educational technology (EdTech) arrived in the early 2000s with promises of personalised learning, limitless information, and seamless communication. Unesco and the Education Endowment Foundation (2024) similarly note that educational technology has mixed effects and depends heavily on the quality of implementation. Growth still depends on nurturing attention, memory, and effort, internal skills that are being displaced by digital tools. However, for children whose cognitive wiring is still developing, reliance on digital tools can hinder the development of cognitive skills. Cooney-Horvath says that digital tools are not neutral because they are engineered for speed, stimulation, and instant feedback.

Source: Irish Examiner March 17, 2026 03:30 UTC