Effective Information Communication to Teens

The relationship between electronic reading devices and teenagers’ effectiveness in

reading in an academic setting

Electronic reading devices are found frequently in use in the academic setting for academic purposes.

At Student’s High SchoolAt Student’s High School• 9 new iPads for a social studies class• No printed textbooks for non-honors math classes

– Notes and tests online• Electronic journal research in

Authentic Science Research Program

Purpose

Background

Among TeenagersAmong Teenagers• Reading has declined• Much of society shifting to electronic media

– 33% of kids ages 9-17 ”access to eBooks would increase leisure reading”

– 57% wanted to read on electronic devices (Scholastic)• People likely have preference for one or the other

Electronic Reading Print Reading

Effective transport No screen glare

Paper conservation Better adjusted

Long-term budget efficiency Tangibility

Where µ1 is the mean score of tests taken on electronic screens.Where µ2 is the mean score of tests taken on paper.

The difference of the mean of the electronic screen test scores and the mean of the paper test scores will equal zero.

The difference of the mean of the electronic screen test scores and the mean of the paper test scores will not equal zero.

Procedures

Resultst-Test: Paired Two Sample for Means

Electronic Screen

Test ScoresPaper

Test ScoresMean 59.97959 75.82653Variance 631.2779 491.7531

Observations 98 98Pearson Correlation 0.862645

Hypothesized Mean Difference 0df 97t Stat -12.3345

P(T<=t) one-tail 6.94E-22

t Critical one-tail 1.660715

P(T<=t) two-tail 1.39E-21

t Critical two-tail 1.984723

Results

Results

Results

Since p<Since p<αα, 6.94E-22<.05, we reject H, 6.94E-22<.05, we reject H0 0 in favor of Hin favor of Haa..Hypothesis disprovenHypothesis disproven– Students read more efficiently on paper

• Time taken» Almost twice as long to read on electronic devices

• Reading Comprehension» Significantly lower scores on electronic devices

– Backlight affects students’ effectiveness in reading• Of electronic reading devices, student performed best on the

Kindle, iPad and PC in that order– Students prefer reading on paper in an academic setting

Students read more effectively through printed reading material than through electronic reading devices.

Discussions

Limitations and Bias• Measures taken to avoid biasMeasures taken to avoid bias– Randomization of comprehension tests on reading

mediums– Randomization of testing order– All AP Psychology students

– Must have certain level of reading ability– Standardized reading comprehension tests

– Equal levels of difficulty – Both on subjects of history

• Remaining biasRemaining bias– Convenience sample

• May not be able to generalize conclusions to all populations– Lack of prior exposure to electronic reading devices– Reading text font sizes

• Students are not yet ready to change from printed to electronic reading.– Though previous studies show that students read more

and prefer reading on electronic devices for leisure reading, academic reading is not the same.

– The switch may result in poorer student performance.– Consideration must be given to the impact on students’

reading efficiencies when determining school text material.

• Future StudyFuture Study– Run similar study design with subjects

who have learned to read through electronic reading devices. • Longer exposure to electronic reading

devices may impact results.

Conclusions