Welcome to the latest Seascape Blog!

Want to know the current population of USA? The internet is your best bet. Need a quick refresher on the literary works of Hemmingway? Go ahead, read a story online (or two or three). But if you really need to learn something, you’re likely better off with print. Or at least that’s what a lot of research now suggests.​ Many studies have shown that when children and adults read on-screen, they don’t understand what they’ve read as well as when they read in print. Even worse, many don’t realize they’re not getting it. For example, researchers in Spain and Israel took a close look at 54 studies comparing digital and print reading. Their studies involved more than 171,000 readers. Comprehension, they found, was better overall when people read print rather than digital texts. The researchers shared the results in the Educational Research Review.         

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Six Scientific Benefits of Reading Printed Books

 

1. You absorb more information.

Readers of print books absorb and remember more of the plot than readers of e-books do, according to a study that was presented in Italy in 2018. In an earlier study, print readers also scored higher in other areas, such as empathy, immersion in the book, and understanding of the narrative. Scientists believe this effect is related to the tactile sensation of holding a book in your hands.

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2. They help children become better readers, too.

Another study of young children between the ages of three and five revealed that kids had lower comprehension of the story when their parents read to them from an e-book as opposed to a print book. Researchers theorize this arises because children get distracted by the electronic device and have a harder time focusing on the story itself.

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3. They're easier on the eyes.

Considering that TV viewing and game playing require kids to stare at a screen all day, it’s wise for your children to give their eyes a break whenever they can. Electronic books can cause screen fatigue, which may lead to blurred vision, redness, dryness, and irritation. With print books, you don’t have to worry about any of that.

 

4. Children are less likely to get distracted.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, kids who read e-books tend to get sidetracked more easily, but not just because the internet is right at their fingertips. Digital readers tend to spend more time scanning for keywords than actually processing what they’re reading. And with a print book, there’s no chance of getting distracted by links or getting sucked down an internet rabbit hole.

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5. Having a library at home is linked to higher academic achievement.

Students who have books at home are more likely to score higher on tests, according to a study of readers from 42 countries. It doesn’t matter how many books you have, but each additional book helps children perform better in school. This is especially true for children from disadvantaged families.

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6. They amplify the joy of reading.

One recent study of college students in the U.S., Slovakia, Japan, and Germany showed that 92% of participants preferred actual books that they could hold and touch and leaf through whenever they wanted.

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Of course, textbooks may not be suitable for all learners. Online courses can offer interactive multimedia, immediate feedback, and opportunities for collaboration, which can enhance the learning experience for some homeschoolers. Ultimately, it's a matter of personal preference and finding the right balance that suits the needs of the individual homeschooler.

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 (Sources: Avery Elizabeth Hurt/snexplores.org))