Singaporean parents spend SGD $1.8 billion as tech reshapes focus

Singaporean parents spent nearly SGD $1.8 billion on tuition in 2023, as concerns grow about declining attention spans and the use of evidence-based tools to support children's learning.

Despite the substantial investments in extra-curricular academic support, many children are struggling to maintain focus in an age marked by digital distractions. Recent research suggests that modern technology, while providing unprecedented access to information, may also be undermining the very skills necessary for effective learning.

Attention and tuition

According to Dr. Gloria Mark of UC Irvine, "people now spend an average of just 47 seconds on a screen before switching tasks, down from 2.5 minutes back in 2004." The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has similarly reported that academic performance is declining globally, with a lack of retention, rather than content, at the core of the issue.

This trend is of particular concern in Singapore, which is known for its robust tuition industry and the emphasis parents place on education. The challenge, highlighted by educators and parents alike, is to help children not only access information but also to absorb and retain it effectively.

Impacts of AI on learning

The rise of artificial intelligence in education has brought fresh challenges. A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study found that students who relied on AI tools such as ChatGPT showed reduced brain activity and weaker retention compared to peers who studied without AI. The findings suggest that, while technology can make information more accessible, it may inadvertently weaken cognitive abilities necessary for academic success.

Working memory at the core

The concept of working memory is gaining attention among educational experts. Professor Torkel Klingberg of Sweden's Karolinska Institute, who is a member of the Nobel Assembly, was quoted as describing it as "the one skill to rule them all." His research over several decades has demonstrated that working memory is not a fixed attribute but one that can be improved through targeted training.

"The key lies in working memory, the brain's 'executive assistant' that supports everything from problem-solving to sustained attention… it's not fixed, it can be trained."

These insights have inspired the development of new educational tools designed to enhance working memory in children and adolescents.

Bringing research to families

Among these tools is the Nuroe app, which Professor Klingberg and clinical psychologist Hoa Ly, an experienced scientist and parent of three, co-founded. According to the founders, Nuroe brings decades of cognitive research "out of the lab and into everyday family life." The app's training programme is based on over 120 peer-reviewed studies and provides a 40-session protocol lasting 15 minutes a day.

A Journal of Political Economy study, edited by Nobel laureate James Heckman, tracked nearly 600 children and found that those completing the training at ages 6–7 were 50% more likely to enter academically rigorous secondary schools three years later.

The Financial Times recently referenced these findings, noting, "seven-year-olds who did the training were 16 percentage points more likely to enter Germany's elite Gymnasium track." The coverage cast this as evidence that cognition can be shaped, pointing to Nuroe's commercial availability.

Practical focus

Nuroe was designed for use in real-life family settings, offering short, focused sessions managed by parents. According to feedback from educators, teachers observed improvements in classroom participation, fewer homework mistakes, better discipline, and longer periods of focus among students using the app. Families have also reported anecdotal benefits, including teenagers finding it easier to avoid distractions from apps such as TikTok, and measurable academic improvements, such as increases in MAP scores after regular use of Nuroe training during the school holidays.

According to the developers, "the value of Nuroe isn't to replace tuition, it's to make that investment work better by laying the mental groundwork for learning."

Evidence-based solutions

The difference between evidence-based cognitive training and general brain games is at the centre of current conversations in education. The founders and researchers behind Nuroe highlight the importance of proven scientific protocols for strengthening foundational cognitive skills, emphasising that the intention is to build resilience and capacity in young people navigating an increasingly distractible world.

With artificial intelligence and digital technologies reshaping the educational landscape, a sustained focus on training core cognitive capacities may play a critical role in supporting academic achievement.