Tablet vs.Paper

Tablet vs. Paper: The Effect on Learners' Reading Performance Hakan DUNDAR ∗∗∗∗ Kırıkkale University, Turkey Murat AKCAYIR Kırıkkale University, Turkey Received: December, 2011 / Revised: June, 2012 / Accepted: June, 2012 Abstract The purpose of this study is to compare primary school 5thclass students’ electronic text reading performance, reading speed and reading comprehension with tablet PCs and printed books. This study examined a sample of 20 students. The students were randomly divided into two groups, a control group and a treatment group. The control group students read ordinary printed books, and the students in the treatment group read the same text on an electronic tablet PC display. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools were used for the study. Qualitative data were collected on the reading speed and reading comprehension skills for both groups of students. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the groups in reading speed or the level of reading comprehension. Students’ opinions on tablet PCs and recommendations for future studies are also discussed. Keywords: Tablet PC, Elementary Education, HumanComputer Interface, Media in Education Introduction The continuous development of computer technology and software provides an opportunity for the efficient transfer of data, course notes and images from paper to an electronic environment. As a result of this development, people often prefer to access information on computers because of the accessibility of the information, the ability to change text to the desired size, ease of archiving and organization, the avoidance of paper costs and reduction of paper use, and environmental benefits (Dyson & Haselgrove, 2001; Garland & Noyes, 2004; Rose, 2011; Spencer, 2006). In addition to the widespread use of the internet for obtaining information, university libraries are moving to the use of ebooks and emagazines. Increased email traffic, the availability of