How We Read Now: Strategic Choices for Print, Screen, and Audio

The digital revolution has transformed reading, and with the recent turn to remote learning, onscreen reading may seem like the only viable option. However, selecting digital is often based on cost or convenience rather than educational evidence. How We Read Now, by Naomi Baron, explains how reading medium impacts learning and offers practical approaches for maximizing learning with print, digital text, audio, and video.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 14 November 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The impact of reading medium on learning is a complex and multifaceted topic that requires careful consideration. In the digital age, where remote learning has become the norm, onscreen reading has become the predominant method of reading. However, the selection of digital reading materials is often driven by cost or convenience rather than by educational evidence. This has led to a growing need for understanding how different reading mediums affect learning and what strategies can be employed to read effectively in all formats.

In her book, How We Read Now, Naomi Baron, a foremost expert in the field, delves into the intricacies of reading and learning across various mediums. Baron draws on a wealth of knowledge and research from international scholarship and her own studies of reading practices to address key challenges such as student complaints about print being boring and the hazards of digital reading for critical thinking. Rather than advocating for one format over another, Baron explains how we read and learn in different settings, shedding new light on the current state of reading.

One of the key insights in the book is the recognition of the differences in the way we concentrate, understand, and remember information across different mediums. Baron highlights the importance of considering the cognitive processes involved in reading and the specific strengths and weaknesses of each medium. For example, print is often praised for its ability to facilitate deep reading, which involves engaging with the text and making connections between ideas. On the other hand, digital reading materials offer convenience, portability, and the ability to interact with multimedia content.

Baron also addresses the challenges associated with each reading medium. She discusses the potential distractions of digital devices, such as social media and email notifications, that can interfere with reading comprehension. She also raises concerns about the physical health effects of prolonged screen time, such as eye strain and headaches.

To maximize learning with print, digital text, audio, and video, Baron offers practical approaches and strategies. She suggests techniques such as taking breaks, using different reading speeds, and engaging in active reading practices such as annotating and summarizing the text. Baron also emphasizes the importance of creating a conducive reading environment, such as minimizing distractions and ensuring good lighting and ergonomics.

In addition to providing insights into the impact of reading medium on learning, How We Read Now also connects research insights to concrete applications. Baron offers practical examples and case studies that demonstrate how reading strategies can be applied in different educational settings, from primary schools to universities. She also provides recommendations for educators, policymakers, and parents on how to promote effective reading practices and support readers at all stages of their learning journey.

The digital revolution has transformed the way we read, and onscreen reading has become the predominant method of reading. However, it is essential to understand how different reading mediums affect learning and to employ strategies that maximize learning with print, digital text, audio, and video. By recognizing the differences in the way we concentrate, understand, and remember information across different mediums, we can develop effective reading practices that support our learning goals and promote lifelong learning.

In conclusion, How We Read Now is an engaging and authoritative guide to the impact of reading medium on learning. Naomi Baron's book provides valuable insights into the differences in the way, we concentrate, understand, and remember information across different mediums and offers practical approaches and strategies for maximizing learning with print, digital text, audio, and video. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each reading medium and employing effective reading practices, we can enhance our learning experiences and promote lifelong learning.

Weight: 438g
Dimension: 235 x 156 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197656884