The High Value of Low Tech Classes

Rediscovering the Power of Simplicity in Learning

In an age where screens dominate our attention, Bowdoin College’s recent piece takes a refreshing step back into the classroom where the main tools are books, conversation, and thoughtful reflection. The article argues that the humanities: literature, languages, philosophy, the arts, aren’t relics of the past; rather, they’re essential to navigating our rapidly changing world. bowdoin.edu

Within a low‑tech classroom setting: no laptops, no tablets, just open books and human voices, students engage in what the humanities do best: reading, writing, talking, creating, and making meaning together. Faculty describe these sessions as idea labs, where mistakes aren’t just allowed, they’re expected, providing a space for experimentation, and for being human. bowdoin.edu

This shift away from screens isn’t about rejecting technology entirely; it’s about creating a learning sanctuary where empathy, collaboration, critical thinking, and the deep questions of human experience can thrive. bowdoin.edu

Why This Matters for a Waldorf‑Style Education

At our school, rooted in the values of Waldorf Education, we believe that integrating the arts and humanities into every subject isn’t just optional, it’s foundational. A curriculum that weaves wonder, discovery, and creative expression into maths, sciences, languages, and social studies builds students who don’t just learn, but who love to learn.

When students sit down together to explore a painting, discuss a poem, build a model, or act in a scene, they’re doing more than absorbing facts. They’re learning to notice, to ask questions, to listen, and to consider the human story behind every idea.

By embracing low‑tech classrooms, where human connection, dialogue, and creativity take center stage we cultivate thinkers who engage, empathetic people who collaborate, and lifelong learners who carry their curiosity beyond any app or screen.