I was reading something (or listening to something, or watching something…hard to keep media straight) last week, and I came across a statement that I had heard in some form or other, many times before. The author alluded to the “fact” that reading comprehension and retention is better when using a retro (paper) book than when using an electronic reader.
This is the kind of sloppy use of data that forms our world. The author of this statement made no reference to where it came from (though I do recall the mention of scientists…so it must be true). A Google search of key terms shows many similar statements, but few actual studies. The studies I found were narrow and preliminary, yet they have been thrown around so often that one no longer feels need to reference.
I know this is nothing new, and not unique to education, but given my push for greater integration of digital media, I wanted to address this here. There are two reasons why studies like these need to be kept in clear perspective.
First, there is an assumption in these statements that comprehension is a static skill. If subjects demonstrate better comprehension with one medium, then (it is implied) that medium is objectively more comprehensible. This assumption ignores the obvious fact that digital reading is a very new skill. Just as one is tentative with a new car, but soon adapts and improves performance, a person new to digital reading takes time to feel fully at ease and perform at her or his best. When I first read novels on a e-reader, I found the experience clunky and unsatisfying. However, now I am more comfortable reading an electronic book than paper book. I am certain my comprehension has increased with this facility, just as human comprehension of digital text will grow over time.
The second implication is that we should just go back to paper texts. Frankly I don't see this as a possibility. The case for paper texts economic, academic, and practical, grows weaker every year. The idea that paper books will somehow make a comeback contradicts everything I'm seeing and reading (online). If this comprehension issue is a fact (which I dispute), then we need to fix it.
There is so much nostalgia connected to the paper book, and it is difficult to sort out feelings from facts, and it is likewise difficult to separate facts from meaning.
…if you didn't understand this, you can print it out.
As always, I welcome your comments.
Image: 'Parole perdute' http://www.flickr.com/photos/8418112@N04/3526002850 Found on flickrcc.net
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I agree with both points. I would also add that even when there are studies that “prove” a conclusion, it’s always a good idea to see who wrote or sponsored the study as that can often affect the results.
Problems like this continue to stand in the way of progress. Some people would prefer to make arbitrary statements about why it won’t work rather than finding ways to make it work. I believe the feeling must have been similar when reading went from stone tablets to paper.
In our everyday work environments we are reading digitally whether it be online articles, e-mail or other devices. The bottom line is that we, as educators, have a duty to prepare our students for that work environment. We must find ways to MAKE students comprehend digital media at a higher rate in the same way we have done with books.