Print Reading versus Digital Reading: Teacher Perspective
Jenny Deam wrote an article evaluating the pros and cons of digital reading and print reading. Her article titled, “E-Books vs. Print: What Parents Need To Know” was featured in the Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine. Deam’s article evaluates the pros and cons of digital reading and print reading for kids today.
As an aspiring English teacher, what are some of the pros of utilizing digital reading within the classroom? One of the pros noted by Deam’s is that using digital devices when reading allows students to expand their vocabulary. When reading an online story or news article if there is a word that a student cannot understand or comprehend that student can easily access online dictionaries and other helpful websites that will review the definitions, go over the historical context of the word and identify similar, less complex words with the same meaning.
Both teachers and students will also benefit from digital reading because both parties will use less paper and copies. In addition, both students and teachers may even become more technology savvy when using digital reading devices and sources which is a skill valued by their employers and peers.
Nevertheless, while reading online students are exposed to so many helpful websites while doing their online reading. For instance, they are able to use thesauruses, dictionaries, and literature sites such as: Shmoop, Spark Notes, etc. that may assist with their overall interpretation or general understanding of the text. Although, digital reading is important it is also important for teachers and students to understand the value and importance of print reading.
Therefore, should there be a limit to English teachers using print reading in their classrooms? Should teachers give students the options of deciding on which style of reading they prefer? These are both great questions and I believe that students should learn to enjoy both styles of reading. In fact, falling in love with print reading is vital because students will enjoy the overall reading experience as they turn the pages of the book and smell the scent of those crisp pages.
Students may also retain information better via print because when they have printed books held in their hand because they can easily highlight the text, take notes and separate the pages accordingly.
In closing, both styles of reading are to be valued by teachers and students and as teachers it is our duty to see which style of reading works best for each student individually.
Samantka Miller
Link To Article: http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/developing-reading-skills/e-books-vs-print-what-parents-need-to-know
Jenny Deam wrote an article evaluating the pros and cons of digital reading and print reading. Her article titled, “E-Books vs. Print: What Parents Need To Know” was featured in the Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine. Deam’s article evaluates the pros and cons of digital reading and print reading for kids today.
As an aspiring English teacher, what are some of the pros of utilizing digital reading within the classroom? One of the pros noted by Deam’s is that using digital devices when reading allows students to expand their vocabulary. When reading an online story or news article if there is a word that a student cannot understand or comprehend that student can easily access online dictionaries and other helpful websites that will review the definitions, go over the historical context of the word and identify similar, less complex words with the same meaning.
Both teachers and students will also benefit from digital reading because both parties will use less paper and copies. In addition, both students and teachers may even become more technology savvy when using digital reading devices and sources which is a skill valued by their employers and peers.
Nevertheless, while reading online students are exposed to so many helpful websites while doing their online reading. For instance, they are able to use thesauruses, dictionaries, and literature sites such as: Shmoop, Spark Notes, etc. that may assist with their overall interpretation or general understanding of the text. Although, digital reading is important it is also important for teachers and students to understand the value and importance of print reading.
Therefore, should there be a limit to English teachers using print reading in their classrooms? Should teachers give students the options of deciding on which style of reading they prefer? These are both great questions and I believe that students should learn to enjoy both styles of reading. In fact, falling in love with print reading is vital because students will enjoy the overall reading experience as they turn the pages of the book and smell the scent of those crisp pages.
Students may also retain information better via print because when they have printed books held in their hand because they can easily highlight the text, take notes and separate the pages accordingly.
In closing, both styles of reading are to be valued by teachers and students and as teachers it is our duty to see which style of reading works best for each student individually.
Samantka Miller
Link To Article: http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/developing-reading-skills/e-books-vs-print-what-parents-need-to-know