چکیده:
Dependence on computers and internet has given birth to digital literacy. However, research into its influences on the reading process is still in its infancy. To fill the gap, this study was designed to investigate the ways in which text presentation mode (paper vs. digital) affects reading comprehension, as well as reading attitudes. To this end, a sample of 30 male and female English major students doing their Master’s (MA) participated in this study. Their reading comprehension was investigated by reference to the mode of text presentation, and their attitude towards either text type was examined through a self-assessment checklist. Results of the statistical Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed a stronger preference for the paper-based texts, and an undifferentiated application of the same traditional method to all reading tasks. In addition, higher reading comprehension scores were obtained for paper- based texts, with male participants outperforming their female counterparts. The findings, providing further support for the significance of the mediating tools in the activity theory, imply that the digitalization of texts influences not only the nature of external behavior, but also of the mental functioning of individuals.
خلاصه ماشینی:
"Regarding the obsession for technological modernization, and considering the importance of online reading which affords the capacity to access huge information sources across our globe, especially for graduate students who are expected to do most of their college assignment web- based, and hence read digital texts, it is crucially significant to examine whether or not this new form of reading poses any challenge, as far as comprehension is concerned.
Some other studies found that gender differences in reading comprehension are related to different strategies that readers use (Chavez, 2001; Oxford, Felkins, Hollaway & Saleh 1996; Oxford, Park-Oh, Ito & Sumrall, 1993).
It should be mentioned that unlike most of the earlier gender related studies which focused on topic familiarity and reading strategies, the present study shifts the attention to the gender differences in comprehension across paper and digital text types—something which has received little attention so far.
Considering these assumptions, it was decided that English major students doing their master’s (MA) be qualified as the participants for this study, because they were expected to read in both text types (digital and paper based) for fulfilling their course requirements.
For the first and second questions, the statistical Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was considered to be appropriate because the study had one independent variable (text type with two layers: paper & digital) and one dependent variable (comprehension).
Therefore, according to the results that show higher reading comprehension and preference for paper based texts, the tool mediation principle of the activity theory, which claims that the mediating tool plays a central role in performance, finds support."