How does digital reading impact text comprehension and the overall reading process?
Recent studies have shown inconsistent findings, highlighting the need to explore this topic further. Virginia Clinton summarises all of the findings in her study and provides clarity.
It's crucial to understand the distinctions between reading from paper and screen. In today's digital age, screen reading is essential for both personal and educational purposes, but how does it affect comprehension.
Understanding Screen Reading: The Concept and Its Impact on Deep Comprehension
Clinton aimed to assess the validity of common statements concerning screen reading.
For example, deep reading might be problematic. Literal comprehension allows readers to answer questions directly from the text. Deep text comprehension involves making connections between texts and applying past information.
Is it true that screen reading makes deep comprehension more difficult? Clinton wanted to investigate this. Your reading style, whether digital or paper-based, significantly influences your text comprehension and retention.
Clinton focused on the reading process. Do people read faster on screens compared to paper? Is there a difference in the accuracy of text comprehension estimation between the two types of reading?
Clinton aimed to determine the impact of age and text type (informative or narrative) on comprehension.
In pursuit of solutions, Clinton studied the outcomes of 33 studies conducted since 2008. These studies contrasted paper-based with screen-based reading in children and adults.
Key Principles: How Screen Reading Affects Comprehension
Reading on screens differs significantly from paper-based reading, impacting how pupils comprehend and engage with texts.
Clinton found that reading narrative materials on paper or computer has little impact on comprehension.
However, the medium does play an important role in informative literature.
Research shows that pupils who read on screens perform slightly worse on comprehension tests compared to those who read on paper. This applies to both deep reading and literal comprehension, which is unexpected.
To learn from texts, it's more effective to read on paper.
This does not appear to be related to reading too quickly. Clinton observed no change in reading time between screen and paper.
However, there was another difference. Screen readers tend to overestimate their abilities compared to paper readers, believing they absorb the material more rapidly than they actually do.
They have lower accuracy in estimating and monitoring their own text comprehension when reading.
Does Screen Reading Lead to Less Concentration? Exploring the Distractions
Inaccurate self-assessments by screen readers may stem from distractions and reduced focus. The majority of the studies included pupils.
Participants expressed difficulty focussing on text when reading from a screen. They linked paper-based reading to studying and screen-based reading to leisure reading. That may have influenced their reading attitude.
Concentration appeared to play a role in one of the studies examined by Clinton. Screen readers who were taught to focus were more accurate in estimating their own text comprehension compared to the control group.
This could mean that screen reading does not necessarily result in decreased reading achievement, but that you have to teach children how to focus.
Digital reading should be explicitly and actively taught to pupils.
Clinton's research yields some conclusive findings. However, she acknowledges that many details are still uncertain.
Further research is needed to determine whether the media used for narrative texts matters. Does this apply to all types of stories, including thrillers and literary works?
More research is needed on children and young people's screen reading.
There was less research involving elementary school pupils (4) compared to older adolescents and adults (29). Pupils in year 3 who read short texts may differ from those who consume long instructive materials.
Educational Implications: Should Schools Prioritize Paper Over Screens?
There are diverse perspectives on digital reading and internet use, both favourable and negative. While some argue for the numerous benefits of easily accessible texts, others caution against their superficiality.
Amidst all of these viewpoints, Clinton's research provides some hard data.
She demonstrates that screen reading might result in inaccurate reading and lower text comprehension. Replacing all books at school with iPads or other devices may not be the best option.
It is not essential to completely remove screens from the classroom.
Clinton's class emphasises the need of selecting a suitable medium and actively teaching pupils about digital reading.
The Role of Digital Literacy in Screen Reading: Fostering Focus and Comprehension
Individuals who struggle with paper reading may struggle with screen reading as well. This implies that vocabulary and prior knowledge must be sufficient.
Digital reading needs children to learn to focus and avoid distractions from the screen. Digital reading is a component of digital literacy.
Digital literacy encompasses not just attentive reading, but also the capacity to seek for information and evaluate sources and content.
Digital literacy typically includes safe social media use.
Practical Classroom Strategies: Effectively Teaching Digital Reading
You do not need to remove screens from your classroom. Keep in mind that digital reading differs from paper-based reading.
According to Clinton's research, the primary difference is the reader's mindset. When a pupil is focused on reading a textbook, they may become distracted if they read the same content on a screen.
This is especially true if the digital text includes hyperlinks that direct the reader away from the text.
Pupils must be taught to read digital materials with attentiveness.
This begins with what Clinton refers to as framing: clearly informing pupils that they will be reading a challenging work to which they must pay close attention.
This manner, you can get past the fact that kids link screen reading with relaxation and gaming.
Paying attention to reading tactics, as you would while reading from paper, can help them focus even more.
For example, when reading, you can ask questions regarding the article 'Enhancing Reading Comprehension with 'Questioning the Author' Method: Engage Your Pupils Actively with 'Questioning the Author' Method: Engage Your Pupils Actively' or read again if you don't comprehend a word or paragraph.
And, just as you teach them how to navigate a paper text (by scanning the cover, table of contents, title, subheadings, and blurb), you show them how digital texts are created.
Pay attention to hyperlinks, for example, and encourage them not to click on everything without first considering whether that link will help them better understand the text.
You can continue to use digital (image) books without issue.
After all, the medium makes little difference in narrative writings. Make sure that these books do not have any distracting features (such as sound effects or games) that would divert readers' attention away from the story.
Key Takeaways: The Impact of Screen Reading on Pupils Comprehension
- Reading from a screen may make deep and literal text comprehension more challenging.
- When reading digitally, pupils frequently overestimate their own abilities, believing that they absorb the content faster.
- Clearly remind pupils that they must read digital texts carefully.
- The medium is irrelevant for interpreting narrative texts.
See all related articles: Behind the Research: 7 Eye-Opening Text Comprehension Studies Analyzed
Reference
Clinton, V. (2019). Reading from paper compared to screens: A systematic review and meta-analysis.