Active Reading with Digital Texts

Introduction

Reading online offers new possibilities for learners who are used-to print-based reading. At times, reading online can be more challenging cognitively for students than print-based texts because they need a vast set of strategies to navigate the complex, varied, and ill-structured information on the internet.

The latest findings from researchers confirm that students must still apply strategies used in print-based texts, but they must also apply modified and completely new strategies too. Students must use these strategies flexibly as they encounter different web page structures, modes of information (text, hyperlinks, images, movies, sound, etc.), and genres. In addition, like with print-based texts, students must also adapt their strategies on the basis of their purpose for reading.

Reading on Paper vs. Reading Digitally

Reading print media is undeniably different from reading digital content. Review the chart below to discover the differences:

Researchers have been trying to understand how and why people interact differently with the two media and have shown that when students read online, they comprehend less. However, this deficit can be overcome by incorporating general active reading strategies and ones specific for digital reading.

The key is to read deeply in any format and engage with the text in meaningful ways. In the digital space, that means disrupting a pattern of skipping around, writing short chats, and getting lost down the rabbit hole of the internet. It means breaking-down a complex text, finding key ideas, organizing them, and defending them. Practicing these skills builds good digital reading habits that will become second nature after practice.

Digital Reading Strategies and Tools

You will notice that many digital reading strategies mirror those of printed ones. That is because they are all based-on active reading theory. Incorporating good reading comprehension skills and pairing it with effective online tools can enhance a student’s ability to learn from any type of text. Explore some digital reading strategies and tools below.

1) Print and Annotate

If you are like me, and you prefer printing materials that you need to learn from, so you can flip through them and annotate them with your pencil and highlighter, then printing pages might be a good option for you. This, of course, means that if there are any embedded videos to watch or important links to follow, you will be unable to in the printed version.

Have you ever printed a webpage, only to see a bunch of ads, menu bars, and other unnecessary information? Not only is it a waste of ink and paper, it is also distracting when trying to read content. Use Print Friendly; it's awesome! This tool takes a website and converts it to a printable format if you wanted to print it out to actively read it. This tool also lets you easily delete items and sections you don't want before you print.

2) Why, What, and How?

Consider the "why, what, and how" of reading comprehension. When you keep the "why, what, and how" of reading comprehension in the forefront of your mind while reading, your understanding of the material will improve drastically. It will only take a few minutes but it will not only help you remember what you've read, but also structure any notes that you might want to take.

1. Why? Why am I being asked to read this passage? In other words, what are the instructions my professor has given me?

2. What? What am I supposed to get out of this passage? That is, what are the main concerns, questions, and points of the text? What do you need to remember for class?

3. How? How will I remember what I just read? In most cases, this means taking notes and defining key terms.

3) Speed Reading

Tools, such as speed reading apps, can also be used to help eliminate distractions and assist students in focusing on the text. These apps display the words fast enough that the reader focuses on the words and minimizes mind-wandering. Recommended tools include:

• Spreeder can control speed and display features, such as the number of words and the size of the screens. Users copy and paste the text into the box and set the pace and number of words to display at a time.

• Users can add Spritzlet to their browser’s bookmark toolbar to read webpages. It displays one word at a time and allows for adjustments in speed. The bookmark let can read the entire page or just a highlighted section.

• BeeLine Reader uses different colors for the text, with the colors changing from one sentence to the next.

4) Annotating and Mapping

Annotation or mind-mapping tools can assist students in note-taking by helping them summarize main ideas and take ownership of the text they are reading. There are many annotation tools, including those found in e-readers and college library databases. Other recommended tools for mind mapping and annotation include:

• Copying an electronic text into Google Docs and adding a comment is simple and gives students the flexibility to add and remove notes to the text as needed. The document can also be shared, allowing other students to add their annotations to the document.

• Students can use annotating tools in Adobe Acrobat, such as sticky notes, highlights, and strike-throughs, to comment on PDFs.

• Hypethes.is annotation tool has a social component. With the tool installed in the browser, students can collaboratively annotate webpages.

• Lucidchart diagramming software allows students to visually map out ideas and capture brainstorming sessions. It can be shared and edited with others.

• Freemind mind-mapping software provides typical mind-mapping features and allows the user to add additional content and hyperlinks.

If these tools are not available or too difficult to use, it is still important to record the information learned. This may mean that the student reads digitally, but takes notes on paper.

5) Recalling Information

Recalling information after reading a text is one of the comprehension and critical thinking skills students need in order to use the information for assignments and tests. Software that can assist students in recalling information in a fun and interesting way help. Recommended tool for quizzing and studying software are:

• Students can use Quizlet to create flashcards, diagrams, or other games with the information learned from their text. It is available as a mobile app and online program.

• StudyBlue has crowd-sourced flashcards, notes and study guides from students like you. You can also make and share study materials, search for recommended study content from classmates, track progress, set reminders, and create custom quizzes. It is available as a mobile app and online program.

Student Questions and Answers

Great job—now that you have had a little knowledge about using your reading comprehension skills in a digital environment, let's wrap up with some questions about online reading, courtesy of students just like you.

1. Question: I'm so used to reading printed texts, and I actually prefer it because I don't get distracted as easily as I do when I'm online. So, how can I keep myself from getting distracted when reading online?
   
   Answer: When you read online, the hyperlinks, images, audio, and video interactivity embedded in the text can be a really tempting distraction. Try reading a passage straight through at least once without clicking on any of the hyperlinks or participating in any of the interactive opportunities. First, get a basic "feel" for the passage, then read it with the interactive components to augment your reading. You may also print the text using Print Friendly, which takes a website and converts it to a printable format without many distracting website features.
   

2. Question: I once had a teacher who didn't want us use our phones to read our assigned texts. Why did my teacher care?
   
   Answer: Your teacher might be right—it's best not to read your assignments from the small screen of a smart phone. It's too easy to miss words and meanings when the reading process itself is challenging. If you are able to, read your text from a larger screen, like a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. If you have to read it from your phone, maybe screencast it to your television or increase the font size.

Key Takeaways

• Apply active reading strategies to digital texts

• Explore different tools for digital reading