Can e-Reading Technology Be Useful In Closing the Skills Gaps In Literacy?

Can e-Reading technology be useful in closing the skills gaps in literacy?

The answer is a resounding “yes!” E-reading can be a helpful tool in addressing literacy skill gaps. In fact, e-reading can level the playing field for all learners, regardless of their background or previous experience with reading.

Here’s how it works: e-reading allows readers to control the pace, level, and format of the text they’re reading. This means that struggling readers can slow down the text, or choose a simpler book, without feeling embarrassed or self-conscious. E-reading also makes it easy to look up words, which can help build vocabulary.

In addition, e-reading can provide a much-needed dose of engagement and motivation for many readers. An e-reading app with animation, sound effects, and/or dramatic readings can boost a reader’s enthusiasm for a book. The sound effects and dramatic readings are particularly helpful for learners with disabilities, such as visual impairment, who may benefit from hearing the text read aloud.

 

How E-Reading Adjustments Help All Readers

Almost two-thirds of Americans now own a smartphone, and e-books are more popular than ever. It’s no surprise, then, that e-reading technology is being touted as a way to close the skill gaps in literacy.

E-reading technology can be very helpful for all readers, but especially for those who struggle with literacy. By making adjustments to the way e-books are displayed, readers can customize their reading experience to better suit their needs.

For example, readers can increase the font size or change the background color to make the text more legible. They can also have the text read aloud to them, or use a translation feature to read in their native language.

E-reading technology can help all readers make sense of a text. For those who are struggling with literacy, the technology can help them find meaning in a text and question their assumptions about what they’re reading. It can also boost literacy skills, such as vocabulary and comprehension.

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E-Reading Provides Access to More Content

What if there was a way to close the skill gaps in literacy that didn’t require expensive tutors or hours spent in the library? What if all it took was a tablet or e-reader?

According to a recent study, e-reading can be a useful tool in closing the skill gaps in literacy. The study found that e-reading provides access to more content, which can help close the gap between struggling readers and their more proficient peers.

E-reading can also be a more engaging experience than traditional reading. The study found that readers who used e-readers were more likely to finish the books they started than those who read traditional books.

 

Why Some Texts Are Only Available in E-Format

The skill gaps in literacy are widening in the United States. A recent study by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed that only 35% of fourth graders and 34% of eighth graders were reading at a proficient level. This is a problem because it means that a large portion of the population is not able to read complex texts or comprehend them fully.

There are many factors that contribute to the widening skill gaps in literacy. One of them is the fact that some texts are only available in e-format. This is a problem because not everyone has access to e-readers or computers with which to access the online versions of the texts.

The study found that the gap between proficient and struggling readers was widest among those who could access only an e-format version of a text. This shows just how important it is for schools and public libraries to have a stock of books in print as well as digital format.

While e-reading technology can be useful in exposure to a wide variety of reading materials, it is not the sole solution to address the skill gaps in literacy. A multi-faceted approach that includes explicit and systematic instruction, modeling of good reading habits, and encouragement of a love for reading is needed to close the skill gaps in literacy.

 

Takeaway: E-reading technology can be a powerful tool in combating illiteracy and leveling the playing field for all readers.

The post Can e-Reading technology be useful in closing the skills gaps in literacy? Was first published on NutsAboutReading.com

 

 

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