In an age of efficiency and convenience, digital has become our main mode of communication, entertainment and, increasingly, education — yet mounting evidence shows that we learn better from paper. From reading comprehension to reading speed, various studies demonstrate impressive advantages to reading from physical books — especially for children.
What the studies show
In one study, researchers compared children from diverse backgrounds around the world to see how much it mattered whether they had books in their home. Regardless of socio-economic status or country of origin, children who had just one book in their homes were twice as likely to meet literacy and math standards than those who had no physical books.
Those who had more than one book completed an average of three years more education than those who had zero or one book. E-books did not show any positive correlation to an advanced education.
A comprehensive study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) revealed that printed matter is more readily understood. Reading assessments were conducted on over half a million students from 34 different countries, and students who commonly used paper texts scored an average of 23 points higher than those limited to digital materials.
They also found that “Students who read books for enjoyment perform significantly better in reading than students who do not read for enjoyment.”
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Studies conducted by the National Reading Panel revealed that young readers enjoy 34 percent better vocabulary building when encountering new words in print rather than on a screen.
As unlikely as it may seem, given the same written material in different formats, print readers have been shown to read 10 – 30 percent faster than screen readers.
Actors, who regularly have to memorize long scripts, overwhelmingly prefer printed text over tablets.
Standardized assessment data from over 400 schools examined in meta-analysis research showed that students who maintained consistent interaction with physical books surpassed their digitally-focused peers in attention span, analytical thinking, and confidence in all academic subjects.
Why?
While the results are clear, the reasons are less so. Assorted studies have helped scientists to form several theories about why physical books offer enhanced learning across the board.
One important factor may be the inherent structure of a physical book. Because it encourages systematic information navigation through the use of chapters, indices, and table of contents, one develops organizational thinking patterns and research skills that serve as a foundation in the study of all subjects.
Tangible pages are also much more conducive to “recursive reading” or flipping back subconsciously for clarification. Researcher Dr. Timothy Shanahan suggests that “the physical act of slowing down to process unfamiliar words in print creates deeper cognitive engagement than scrolling past them on screens.” In fact, our brains do respond differently to the two forms of reading.
When reading physical books, the human brain demonstrates reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision making and executive function). Paper readers may be more efficient at reading because this lightens the cognitive load, allowing for more focused energy during information processing.
Meanwhile, screen readers must contend with a host of digital distractions which consume mental resources; thus decreasing our capacity for understanding.
In addition, electroencephalogram (EEG) studies show that reading printed text stimulates beta and gamma waves in the brain, which are associated with problem solving and intense focus — ideal for academics. Reading from a screen activates theta and alpha waves — associated with a more relaxed state of mind with less focus and more wandering.
And while a wandering mind might hinder one’s educational endeavors, wandering eyes, apparently, do not.
One study tracked the eye movement of 50 college students while reading the same text in different formats. The screen readers’ eyes basically moved in one direction — forward. Paper readers’ eyes were much more active. They scanned, explored and circled back.
The significance of this lies in what Dr. Anne Mangen from the University of Stavanger calls “spatial anchoring.” Seeing where information is located on a page in relation to other stationary cues provides embodied “landmarks” for better navigation and recall.
In addition, paper books encourage something researchers call “haptic feedback.” Touching the pages and physically turning them helps strengthen neural pathways that link movement with memory. All this helps make meaningful connections and improve comprehension.
Screen reading, on the contrary, lacks the sensory experience to connect memories with. Since scrolled text has few distinguishing features, we move forward perfunctorily, hunting for key words and skimming while we scroll. Add in ads, notifications and other digital distractions, and the whole environment seems to discourage deep reading and favor superficial processing.
What’s to be done?
Of course, technology is a useful tool that we should take advantage of. But just like a carpenter does not use a hammer for every task, we can be selective about which implements are applied for each purpose. Electronic devices are now built into our daily lives to the extent that it can be difficult to extricate ourselves from the digital screen, but as we can see here, it has its shortcomings.
Consider the following suggestions for keeping physical books in your life, especially if you have children:
You don’t need to replace electronic reading entirely; indeed, that would be impossible. The key is to maintain a balance so you can reap the benefits of both reading formats. For immediate, up to date information, the internet is hard to beat; but for a richer experience, deeper comprehension and lasting satisfaction, stick with physical books.
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