ERIC Number: EJ952641
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Oct
Pages: 4
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0098-6283
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Students Learn Equally Well from Digital as from Paperbound Texts
Taylor, Annette Kujawski
Teaching of Psychology, v38 n4 p278-281 Oct 2011
Although digital texts are growing in popularity, few studies have systematically examined whether students can learn as well when reading a digital text, compared to reading a paperbound textbook. The present study examined several variables related to comprehension of digital versus paper textbooks, including text complexity, engagement with the text, and long-term retention. Seventy-four students, randomly assigned to read an entire chapter from either a paperbound text or its digital equivalent, completed a 20-item multiple-choice quiz immediately after reading and 1 week later. No differences in comprehension emerged across any variables except for a main effect of test time. More important, there were no interactions with text medium. Therefore, the key to student comprehension appears not to be the method of text delivery but, rather, getting students to read in the first place.
Descriptors: Textbooks, Computer Assisted Instruction, Information Technology, Instructional Effectiveness, Public Opinion, Comparative Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Psychology, Introductory Courses, Undergraduate Students, Tests
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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