Lesson
Neuroscientist Warns Against Screens in Schools
Read this news story in English at three levels, easy, standard, and advanced (B1–C1) — with vocabulary and a comprehension quiz.
Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath claims that increased screen use in schools is harming children's cognitive abilities and calls for a reduction in educational technology.
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Standard — Natural English
71 words · ~1 min readEasy version (A2–B1)
Jared Cooney Horvath is a neuroscientist. He says that using too many screens in schools is making children less smart. He believes that children today are not learning as well as they did in the past. Horvath wants schools to use fewer screens for learning.Standard version (B1–B2)
Jared Cooney Horvath, a neuroscientist, argues that the rise of screens in schools is negatively impacting children's cognitive abilities. He believes that children today are less cognitively capable than previous generations. Horvath's concerns stem from a decline in IQ scores and academic performance since the year 2000, which he attributes to the increased use of educational technology. He advocates for reducing screen time in academic settings to promote better learning outcomes.Advanced version (C1–C2)
Jared Cooney Horvath, a neuroscientist and former teacher, has raised significant concerns regarding the pervasive use of screens in educational settings. He asserts that children today are less cognitively capable than previous generations, a trend he links to the rise of educational technology since the year 2000. Despite increased time spent in school, IQ scores and academic performance have declined, leading Horvath to advocate for a substantial reduction in screen use within classrooms. He emphasizes that this reduction is essential for fostering deep, transferable knowledge among students, arguing that the current reliance on digital tools undermines traditional learning processes.Lesson audio
Standard level
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Test your understanding
01What does Jared Cooney Horvath want to reduce in schools?
02What has happened to IQ scores since the year 2000?
03What industry is mentioned as a major part of educational technology?
Discussion
How do you think screen time affects children's learning and development?
Vocabulary
cognitive word
related to thinking and understanding
“Cognitive skills are important for learning.”
educational technology word
tools and resources used for teaching and learning
“Educational technology includes computers and software.”
neuroscientist word
a scientist who studies the brain and nervous system
“The neuroscientist researched how screens affect learning.”
transferrable word
able to be used in different situations
“Skills learned in school should be transferrable to real life.”
IQ scores word
a measure of intelligence
“IQ scores have been falling in recent years.”