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Reading on the computer OR on paper?

Wayne Zhang

I'm running into a lot of issues with my freshmen this year reading OER articles on the computer. In the past I've loved this because there are a lot of features for differentiation like the audio track and different Lexile scores. 

But I also feel like the second I give kids access to a computer, even if I give them a notecatcher or graphic organizer on paper, they're just distracted on the computer. I perceive that they're just instantly distracted by email or by random games or by God knows what else. 

I talked to a couple students and they said they were interested in doing readings on paper, but that just takes so much time and energy, not to mention physical paper, which can be hard to come by and annoying if the printer is broken. 

Any solutions to this problem? I've thought about doing an "Whitelist" using GoGuardian? Am I just crazy or are other people having issues with this as well? 

  • 0

    I've been making paper copies for students so they can highlight/annotate, and so that they aren't distracted by a screen. You're right - the features online are so nice. I still post the links on Canvas for the online version in case they want to see photos/maps in color (we don't have a color printer) and so they can listen to the read aloud if they want. 

    One way to save on paper is to print two pages to a sheet and print it double sided. I downloaded all articles from Unit 1 and printed them all in a reading packet this way and it was manageable. Yes, it's a lot of paper. But for now, it's worth it.

    Do you have them read the articles in class? One option could be to simply read it together as a class. Or if there are students you identify that struggle to stay on task, maybe create a small group to pull and have them read aloud along with you to keep them focused? 

    You definitely aren't crazy - it's the struggle of teaching in the 21st century! I hope something I've thrown out helps. Good luck!

  • 0

    I've been making paper copies for students so they can highlight/annotate, and so that they aren't distracted by a screen. You're right - the features online are so nice. I still post the links on Canvas for the online version in case they want to see photos/maps in color (we don't have a color printer) and so they can listen to the read aloud if they want. 

    One way to save on paper is to print two pages to a sheet and print it double sided. I downloaded all articles from Unit 1 and printed them all in a reading packet this way and it was manageable. Yes, it's a lot of paper. But for now, it's worth it.

    Do you have them read the articles in class? One option could be to simply read it together as a class. Or if there are students you identify that struggle to stay on task, maybe create a small group to pull and have them read aloud along with you to keep them focused? 

    You definitely aren't crazy - it's the struggle of teaching in the 21st century! I hope something I've thrown out helps. Good luck!

  • 0 in reply to Justin Harvey

    Two pages per sheet and double sided is great — I think that'll make me feel more sane. 

    Small group for some kids while reading out loud is a good idea! I find kids in the AP class can sometimes zone out if we do all group reading because they find it boring. 

  • 0 in reply to Wayne Zhang

      These tensions are real! The digital tools can create access but also distraction. And copies are a precious resource! This is tangential but reminded me of one approach I like to give students a purpose for reading. First everyone reads the text on their own (either format works) and then we'd do a Big Paper close reading. I'd pull a few short passages (a sentence or two each) and put those on butcher paper around the room. Students got to annotate each poster with questions, connections, ideas and then rotate. After everyone had a chance to comment on each passage we'd step back and talk through our understanding as a class. I wish I could remember where I first encountered this protocol, probably from a teacher friend, but it became one of my go-tos.

  • 0

    The dilemma of having students read on paper vs on the computer is real. In my AP classes, I start the term off by having students read printed hard copies of the articles. The first few times, we'll do the Three Reads together, so they can develop the habit. After a week, I'll transfer to having them read the articles online in class...guiding them in note-taking and develop questions (we rely on Harkness for much of our follow-up work). Reading in class is time consuming, though, and there is a lot to cover, so by week three, nearly all reading is done as homework. Some students request hard copies, so I always have a few copies available for them. In my district, printing 100 copies of every article over the course of the year is cost-prohibitive.