The benefits of paper-based learning
Canon highlights the lasting benefits of paper-based learning, from better comprehension to improved student well-being.
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If your school isn’t prioritising paper-based learning as part of its educational strategy, it’s missing a big opportunity to improve student outcomes.
For more than 40 years, research has highlighted the benefits associated with paper-based learning. The use of printed materials in the classroom and other educational settings delivers cognitive, emotional and practical benefits to students that digital devices—so far anyway—just can’t match.
One of the most compelling arguments for the use of paper-based learning materials is the demonstrated impact they have on student learning outcomes. Numerous studies have shown that students perform better when they engage with printed educational materials rather than digital devices.
Writing in Memory & Cognition in 1983, Eugene A. Lovelace and Stephen D. Southall revealed that humans make mental maps during the learning process. Being able to ‘place’ those maps on a physical page helps us remember things. When students read books and use printed worksheets in the classroom, they’re making mental maps that can be called upon later.
Comprehension is another area where paper trumps digital tools. In 2018, researchers from Israel and Spain examined the results of 54 studies that compared the effects of paper-based and digital reading. They found that people who read print scored better in comprehension than people who primarily used digital devices. In fact, at a time when students’ screen time is increasing, reading proficiency is decreasing.
In the U.S., the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NEAP) showed that reading levels of Grade 4 and 8 students had declined significantly. Fast-forward to 2022, and the NEAP results declined another 3 points for both Grade 4 and Grade 8 students.
Paper-based learning materials consistently outperform digital alternatives when it comes to improving student outcomes.
Beyond improving comprehension and focus, paper-based learning materials also help support students’ emotional well-being. At a time when anxiety and mental illness are on the rise among young people in Australia, this is particularly relevant. The overstimulation associated with digital devices has been linked to anxiety and even depression. What’s more, the blue light emitted by screens has been shown by Harvard Medical School researchers to disrupt the production of melatonin, leading to poor sleep quality and fatigue. Conversely, printed materials offer a calming alternative, reducing stress and providing students with a much-needed respite from the digital world.
Setting aside the proven benefits of paper-based learning, it’s important to remember the distractions associated with digital devices. Notifications, pop-ups and the temptation to check TikTok instead of the text book are very real challenges faced by students and teachers every day.
At Canon, we recognise the need to balance the use of technology and paper-based learning materials. Digital tools are invaluable for research, viewing multimedia content and collaboration, but they don’t necessarily foster the deep focus required to achieve optimal learning outcomes.
We’re proud to partner with schools and other educational institutions that recognise the place for paper-based learning materials in the classroom. Paper’s enduring relevance lies in its ability to support better learning outcomes, reduce distractions and promote mental well-being. As schools continue to embrace digital transformation, they should continue to embrace the timeless benefits of paper-based learning.
Streamlining classroom workflows, staying on top of budgets and reducing paper waste starts with choosing the right print partner. From simplifying everyday printing to igniting a passion for learning across a range of subjects, scores of schools have trusted Canon to deliver the solutions they need.
Learn more about our Education Solutions or book a free assessment of your print and scan environment with one of our experts.
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