Digital reading in beginner readers: Advantage or disadvantage for comprehension of narrative and informational linear texts?

Background: Text comprehension research in relation to the reading medium showed that digital‐based reading represents a disadvantage compared with paper‐based reading. Most paper versus screen research; however, was conducted with university students. Objectives: This study investigated the contribution of reading medium to text comprehension and medium preference in beginner readers who use technology for school learning. The moderating role of text genre, word reading and medium preference on the reading medium effect on text comprehension was also analysed. Methods: First graders (N = 115; mean age = 6;8 years) read narrative and informational linear texts on paper and computer screen and answered main idea, literal and inferential comprehension questions. Medium preference questions and a word reading task were administered. Results and Conclusions: Logistic mixed models showed that the main idea and literal comprehension of narrative and informational linear texts were greater on screen and for higher word reading skills. Inferential comprehension was lower on screen at lower levels of word reading skills but became similar for the two media as word reading increased. Children had no clear medium preference and medium effect on text comprehension was independent of children's medium preference. The main results show that beginner readers who use technology for learning and are fast and accurate in word reading display no comprehension disadvantage in digital reading. Takeaways: Our results add to existing knowledge by clarifying how reading medium effects on beginner readers' text comprehension interact with factors such as fundamental reading skills and experience with technology. Lay Description: What is currently know about the subject matter: • Comprehension of informational texts is better on paper than on screen • Text comprehension is better on paper than on screen for independent readers from 4th grade onwards, even for those who prefer to read digitally. • Lower text comprehension on screen is related to shallow reading processing and navigation requirements of digital texts. • Shallow reading processing is related to the use of digital media for leisure. What the paper adds: • Comprehension of narrative and informational texts on screen is not disadvantaged in beginner readers who often use technology for school activities. • Word reading has a stronger role on inferential comprehension of digital texts with navigation requirements. • Word reading stronger role results in a screen comprehension disadvantage at lower levels of word reading skills. • Children have no clear medium preference and text comprehension on paper vs screen was independent of children's medium preference Implications of study findings for practitioners: • The use of technology for school activities may encourage deep text processing on screen. • Care should be taken when very young students with low reading skills are required to understand digital texts with navigation requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]