It seems 2026 has become the year of what is being called the educational “techlash.” We discussed the challenge this techlash presents in a recent blog post on “Yes, We May Have Too Much Educational Technology—But Let’s Not Throw Out the Baby with the Bathwater.” We argued that technology such as personalized learning software continues to provide benefits for students.
Yet, we can certainly also benefit from an increase in two key components of learning – the use of paper books and tangible learning materials, and interaction with human beings in various ways. An example of a great program that puts both of these components to work is the Reading Buddies program at the Greendale Schools.
I recently had the privilege to write an article for the Edutopia online media platform on the Reading Buddies program, of which I have been one of the buddies.
Reading Buddies is entering its 28th year. The program uses paper books and interaction with volunteer adult “buddies” to help first-grade students learn to love reading. The program pairs an adult and a first-grade student for a weekly interaction that is all about reading.
So please take a look at our Edutopia article, and thanks as always for all you do for our kids.
Jerry Schulz
