The effect of screen reading on understanding in primary fi̇fth class

This study aims to find out the effect of screen reading on understanding of first grade primary school students. Developments in technology like the internet and computer require to read information on screen for getting information and expanding it. This type of reading is defined as screen reading. This study is an experimental research, which was conducted with fifth grade primary school students in 2011-2012 education year. Four texts, which were decided by employing focus group method, were applied to 72 students. Among these 72 students, 36 students were subjected to printed materials while the other 36 students were subjected to screen reading. The students' answers given to the questions about the texts were evaluated by three teachers. According to t-test results, there is a statistically significant difference between the understanding results of the fifth grade students who read on screen and the students who read on printed materials. Consequently, it can be said that learners who read on printed material are more successful than learners who read on screen. 66 students were chosen with random sampling in order to determine their perceptions on screen reading. A significant part of the students stated that they wanted to read on screen because they found screen reading more enjoyable than reading on printed material. However, some students stated that they did not want to read on screen. Moreover, a little part of these students indicated that digital texts affected their reading habit positively, provided easier access to information, and the information they got was more permanent. Nearly all the students reported that the disadvantage of reading on screen is a threat for health (eye health, headache). Furthermore, an important part of the learners stated that it slowed their pace of reading, affected their reading habit negatively, and they lost the line they read. A little part of the learners became addicted to the screen and they said they got tired while reading. Keywords: Reading, screen reading, understanding