In the digital age, reading from screens offers less assistance in comprehending content compared to traditional printed texts.
In a groundbreaking study led by Lidia Altamura, a PhD student at the University of Valencia in Spain, the impact of digital leisure reading on reading comprehension has been thoroughly examined. The study, which analysed 25 studies published between 2000 and 2022 involving approximately 470,000 participants from at least three dozen countries, has shed light on some surprising findings.
The study compared the effect of reading print versus digital texts for students. Contrary to popular belief, it found almost no connection between digital leisure reading and improvements in reading comprehension. This finding helps explain why the relationship between leisure digital reading habits and reading comprehension is virtually nonexistent.
However, the study found that reading in print, whether for leisure or school, helped improve developing readers' comprehension. If a student spends 10 hours reading in print in their free time, their ability to comprehend is likely six to eight times higher than if they read on digital devices for the same amount of time.
For younger students in primary and middle school, digital leisure reading had a negative impact on reading comprehension. On the other hand, for older students in high school and college, the connection between digital leisure reading and reading comprehension was positive but still smaller than it would be if they had read print.
The study used a mixed-methods research design combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, and the results were presented through statistical analyses supplemented by thematic interpretations. It did not find a positive relationship between digital leisure reading and improvements in reading comprehension, unlike previous research that showed reading in print improved comprehension.
The study also found no significant difference between digital leisure reading and other types of digital reading, such as chatting or checking social media. It does not declare war on new technologies but emphasizes the importance of considering how they are used and implemented in education.
The study is working on a longitudinal study to investigate digital reading in young students, particularly primary school students. It encourages educators and parents to pay attention to the reading medium that children use for reading. The study suggests that it could be beneficial to introduce digital devices when a more consolidated reading comprehension base is already acquired, as is the case with secondary school students.
The study's findings are significant for understanding the impact of digital reading on reading comprehension, particularly in the context of increasing screen time among students. While the study does not provide specific recommendations for educators and parents regarding the use of digital devices in education, it emphasizes the importance of considering the level of skills of the students.
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