# Italian educational shift toward analog learning > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-educational-shift-toward-analog-learning > Updated: 2026-09-23T23:05:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Italy is experiencing a shift in educational approaches and student study habits, characterized by a move away from digital reliance. The Ministry of Education and Merit has issued directives for schools to prioritize analog methods, such as handwriting, memorization of poetry, and the study of classical texts, to counter excessive digitalization and artificial intelligence use. These regulations include a ban on smartphones during class and a preference for physical books over tablets. In higher education, university professors report a decline in the use of comprehensive textbooks. A survey of educators indicates that while most consider textbooks the most effective teaching tool, students increasingly rely on condensed materials like lecture notes and course slides. Professors expressed concern that these changing habits, alongside the passive use of artificial intelligence, may diminish students' critical thinking, analytical capacity, and ability to process complex texts. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-23: Italian professors report decline in textbook use among university students Italian professors report that students are increasingly underprepared for exams as they shift from reading full textbooks to relying on course slides, notes, and summaries. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-professors-report-decline-in-textbook-use-among-university-students ### 2026-09-13: Italian schools implement return to handwriting and analog learning Italian schools are adopting new guidelines to promote handwriting, classical studies, and memorization while banning smartphones in class to balance digital usage with cognitive development. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-schools-implement-return-to-handwriting-and-analog-learning --- Cite as: Italian educational shift toward analog learning. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-educational-shift-toward-analog-learning