First, research about the 'video deficit' isn't new, this science has been around for at least ten years, probably much longer.
Second, while there is evidence that eye contact is necessary for children under one to recognize phonemes, and that eye contact has an effect on extroversion and other elements of temperament, there is (AFAIK) no evidence that it has any affect on children's ability to acquire academic skills of the sort taught in school.
I believe that in language there is evidence that children that learn by having their teachers do sign-language as they speak teach them languages faster.
Furthermore academic skills is not really what the article seem to be after.
I was responding to the "schools don't teach the way students learn" quote. That implies this research has vast implications for school-age children, but there is no evidence to suggest this and really no reason at all to even casually believe it's true.
Second, while there is evidence that eye contact is necessary for children under one to recognize phonemes, and that eye contact has an effect on extroversion and other elements of temperament, there is (AFAIK) no evidence that it has any affect on children's ability to acquire academic skills of the sort taught in school.