Paper Books: What Advantages Do They Offer Us?
Digital devices have emerged as an alternative to reading paper books. It is not uncommon to see people reading on the street on a mobile phone, tablet or e-book. Despite the conveniences these devices offer, the paper format continues to be the preferred format for most readers.
What do we owe this preference for reading paper books ? One of the explanations can be found in the immediacy of reading comprehension. Reading a text printed on paper seems to make it easier to understand the text than reading on an electronic device. In other words, digital media appears to penalize textual understanding. But what is this difference due to?
Are the paper books dead?
Several experts claim that paper books are “dead”. However, the passage of time has disproved this claim. Although circulation has decreased, paper books continue to be the preferred choice of readers.
Print remains a favorite for enjoying a book intensely, even when we spend most of our time reading on computers and digital devices. And this is because we understand better what is written on paper, especially when we have little time to read.
It seems to be the younger generation who really understand the difference between reading on paper and reading on a digital device. A comparative study found that people who read paper books assimilate more information about the text than do people who read on a digital device.
It has also been found that those who read from a digital device usually overestimate their level of understanding ; this means that he thinks he has learned more from reading than he has in reality, while the evaluation of the reader on paper is usually lower.
Deficit of metacognitive processes
The explanation of the advantages of reading on paper compared to reading on a digital device is due to a deficit – in the latter case – of the metacognitive processes. In a nutshell, we are talking about a deficit of the processes responsible for monitoring the quantity and quality of the learning level. When we read on a digital device, we formulate far-from-the-reality assessments regarding the use of cognitive resources necessary for textual understanding.
The same results were found on the basis of the criterion of time dedicated to reading, which is reduced. When reading for a given time limit, both the quality estimate and the learning level were higher when reading a paper book. This allowed us to conclude that the cause actually lies in a metacognitive deficit.
The advantages of reading on paper
It is easier to learn by reading paper books than text from a screen. The cause is to be found in the difficulties of metacognitive monitoring, which cause a high overestimation of the level of learning and which lead to an insufficient allocation of cognitive effort.
Finally, reading on digital devices leads us to think that textual understanding is easier than it seems and that we use fewer cognitive resources than are really necessary.
On the other hand, the digital medium stimulates a more superficial process of information. This negatively affects reading and learning. Perhaps the daily use of digital means to allow us to quickly interface with information leads us unconsciously to this superficial approach when we read.
But the thing does not end there, taking notes by hand is more effective than taking them on the PC. Usually the former are more elaborate and those who take them get better results on exams.
These results have significant consequences on training. The introduction of digital technology in schools can reduce or “numb” learning processes. Perhaps before opting immediately for technology thanks to the advantages it offers, we should know its negative effects, so as to be able to make the most of the differences between the two supports.
