Page 114 - AC/E Digital Culture Annual Report

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various studies show that the existence of mediation has a positive effect on readers as it encourages digital reading. It makes them aware of digital books and affords them regularity and confidence in the use and handling of devices, as well as helping them understand content in a way.
It seems that mediation in homes and schools and in libraries and other institutions, coupled with the possibility of sharing reading experi- ences, has a motivating effect in digital reading environments too. These actions can be seen to encourage users to read digital works and have a positive influence on their reception.
These considerations are backed by the reports stemming from research such as that conducted by Fundación Germán Sánchez Ruipérez from 2009 to 2011 on digital reading. Programa Terri- torio Ebook,25 as the abovementioned initiative is called, set out to explore the impact of digital reading on readers, their attitudes to eBooks, their skills at handling reading devices and how well they understand the content. It likewise attempted to ascertain to what extent educa- tional and motivational interventions influenced the above variables.
As for the conclusions, an article published in the latest Anuario ThinkEPI26 states that although each age bracket studied displays certain particu- larities, in general a number of significant aspects and constant factors can be established:
Regarding attitude:
• The readers who took part in libraries’ promotional efforts can be seen to be more satisfied with devices, reading with them and the overall experience compared to those in the control group.
• The experience is suitable for encouraging people to read works and to discuss them at a deeper level.
• Being in contact with other readers and sharing ideas and impressions of books is a positive factor that enhances each reader’s individual reading experience.
As for use of electronic devices:
In the case of children, few differences were found in this aspect when comparing the experimental and control groups.
In teenagers and adults, the effect of supervising and accompanying readers in the use of electronic devices makes them more aware of the possibilities they offer and of how to use them to enrich their personal reading experience.
As for reading comprehension:
• The experience was more successful with children than with younger and older adults as regards the differences in comprehension between the experimental and control groups.
• Children and adults with low reading skills were the most receptive segments in which differences were found between the two groups.
• The aspects in which the greatest influence was observed are those related to under- standing the plots and the perception of the characters.
The study thus shows that readers benefit from motivational experiences in several ways before, during and after reading. Firstly, mediation
leads to better acceptance of the challenge of reading new books and greater perseverance and determination to finish them. Secondly, it enables them to learn and share their impres- sions with other readers, making for an enriching experience.
READING
Readers in the digital age