It is estimated that around twenty three percent of the US population purchases an ebook every year. Ever since the introduction of e-reading platforms in 1997, popularity has been increasing across the country. In academic environments, many conversations are held between students and teachers on whether their reading materials should be offered in a digital format.
Discussions like these have resulted in the rise of an important question: what is the best platform for written work you can use?
Physical: paper copies of written work helps better the process of understanding!
1. The physical aspects of a written work help with focus, visualization, and comprehension.
According to a study by Mangen, Olivier, and Velay (2019), printed books help readers absorb and remember the information better than ebook readers. Print readers also scored higher in “empathy, immersion in the book, and [the] understanding of the narrative.” When the book is in front of the reader and they are able to hold it and turn pages—thus interacting with it physically—,they will have more focus.
2. Print versions often possess superior illustrations
From picture books to graphic novels or even textbooks, physical copies support all types of texts while preserving their illustrations. Many visualizations can be altered during the process of converting a physical copy to an ebook supported version. With a physical copy, there is no need to worry about these alterations.
Digital: e-reading platforms are convenient and often more accessible!
1. Access to a variety of works are made easy for quick use.
E-reader devices and platforms give readers access to thousands of
books and resources, all stored in one place. Without having to
physically travel to obtain these resources, online tools can easily
sort through databases to find what you need. This system makes it
efficient for readers to find or reference a resource. No more
forgetting books for independent reading!
2. There is flexibility in how a written work is presented.
On many platforms, the appearance of ebooks can be personalized to the reader’s liking. Depending on their preferences, they are able to change font size, style, line spacing, etc.. This makes reading more approachable to those who need this flexibility.
→ There are several other reasons why one may believe that one platform of reading is better than the other. What are your thoughts about “(E-)Reading Platforms”? Go to <https://bit.ly/CTOct2022> or scan the QR code and tell us where you stand! Votes are collected until October 21, 2022 and results will be released in the November 2022 issue of The Tattler.