Students’ reading skills are one of the major predictors of success in school and in careers later in life. And now, technology is shaping how children and adults read more than ever before. That transition from reading print books to reading from computer screens is raising all kinds of questions about how technology is helping students develop better reading skills on one hand and how it is possibly hurting those skills on the other.
For instance, emerging research suggests there might be a generational shift in the benefits and drawbacks of digital reading. Previous studies suggested that print books were far better tools for students to learn from than digital materials, but more recent findings suggest that digital reading might be more suited to the generation of kids who have grown up using computer screens.
Join us to explore how technology is being integrated into reading instruction, with a particular focus on the benefits and drawbacks of using digital tools to help kids learn how to read.
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Agenda
Welcome and Introduction
Interactive Session: What Do You Need to Know About Reading and Technology?
Industry Perspective
Panel Discussion: Reading on Screens: Benefits and Drawbacks
Many studies have shown that, in general, children find print easier to comprehend. Still, there are exceptions—some research has found that certain features in digital books can level the playing field. Researchers say that schools shouldn't look at print and digital books as a binary: There are reasons to use both, and methods to support children's comprehension that teachers can employ.
We’ll review the research and outline some research-backed suggestions for practice.
Industry Perspective
Interview: Practical Tips on How to Use Tech to Teach Reading
Industry Perspective
Interactive Session: Digital Reading Lessons That Work—And Don’t
Industry Perspective
Closing Thoughts
