Many teachers throughout the United Kingdom are replacing analog clocks with digital forms.
Students are having trouble reading the traditional clocks to determine how much time is left during a stressful test.
Malcolm Trobe works for the Association of School and College Leaders as the deputy general secretary.
In an interview with the Telegraph, Trobe reported that students under 18 years of age are more accustom to reading digital clocks.
Because of devices that only use digital clocks, these students have trouble reading analog types.
Trobe mentioned that teachers intend for their students to be as stress-free as possible during an exam.
An analog clock can cause unnecessary anxiety if the students find it difficult to read. Having a digital clock can help ease some of this tension.
He continued to explain how children are more likely to make a mistake when determining the time on an analog clock.
This mistake could lead the student to believe there is more time left for an exam than there is in reality. Digital clocks help to eliminate any possible misreadings of the time.
Ruislip High School is located in northwest London. Ruislip was one of the many schools who decided to make the switch to digital clocks.
Stephanie Keenan, an English teacher at Ruislip High School, spoke highly of the decision.
Cheryl Quine, a staff member at Cockermouth School, also spoke about the decision in a positive light.
Although the skill of reading an analog clock is taught in grade school, many students still struggle with this task in high school.
While it is sad to realize some students struggle with this simple skill, many teachers still acknowledge the benefit of adding digital clocks in schools.
Sally Payne works at the Heart of England Foundation as the head occupational therapist.
In 2018, she warned that students are finding it more difficult to hold pencils and pens because of technology.
According to Payne, children need to develop fine motor functioning in order to properly grip a pencil and move it to write.
These skills require ample practice and opportunity to develop. While it is easier to give a child a tablet or computer, these necessary skills of writing will not be developed.
Many people fear that the same disservice will result from the implementation of digital clocks.
Although students can read digital clocks easier, the fundamental skill of reading an analog clock will never be developed.
