Retired Teacher Questions Overemphasis on Educational Technology
Jane Roth, a recently retired special education teacher from New Haven Public Schools (NHPS), expressed concerns about the over-reliance on educational technology in schools. After 26 years with NHPS and 32 years in education, Roth advocates for prioritizing foundational teaching…
Hartford & New Haven, CT, August 25, 2026 —
A veteran educator is raising questions about the increasing integration of technology in classrooms, advocating for a return to more traditional teaching methods. Jane Roth, who recently retired after a 26-year tenure with New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) and a total of 32 years in the field of education, expressed concerns that the focus on digital tools may be overshadowing more effective, foundational learning approaches.
Roth, who specialized in special education, believes that fundamental teaching strategies, such as the use of physical books and paper, are crucial for student development. Her experience has led her to advocate for these methods, particularly for students with special needs, suggesting that they can be more beneficial than current digital alternatives.
The educator’s perspective highlights a broader discussion occurring within the educational community regarding the appropriate balance between technology and time-tested pedagogical techniques. While educational technology offers numerous potential benefits, including access to vast resources and personalized learning paths, Roth’s views underscore the importance of considering the fundamental cognitive and developmental impacts of different learning tools.
Her career, spanning over three decades, has provided her with a unique vantage point to observe the evolution of teaching tools and methodologies. Roth’s call for a renewed emphasis on books and paper suggests a belief that tactile and analog methods foster a different, perhaps deeper, engagement with learning material, which she feels is particularly vital for students requiring specialized educational support.
The specific details regarding which educational technologies Roth believes are overused, or the precise nature of the concerns she has observed, were not provided. However, her advocacy points to a recurring theme in educational discourse: ensuring that technological advancements serve, rather than detract from, core educational objectives and the diverse learning needs of all students.
Story summarized from the original created by Maya McFadden on www.newhavenindependent.org, see more information here.
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