Technology — a boon or bother for reading habits

There has been considerable debate in recent times about the negative impact that technology can have over the reading habits of students. Other arguments support this by saying that the internet is now used for seeking information and the habit of slow and careful reading for understanding is definitely waning.

As students' scores are falling in international reading skill tests,  many opinions have started to attribute that the web searching exercise is the cause of reduced levels of literacy, shortening attention span and of destroying a age old culture of 'growing up with books'. World wide curriculum has now started to include reading and writing skills within formal education, to compensate for the lack of reading among students.

Though there is no conclusive evidence that web searches have induced reduced attention span in students, just as there is statistical evidence to support the argument that video games, texting and TV surfing have indeed contributed and resulted in shortening attention spans in students. Despite this, new parallels are being drawn toward the negative effects of technology on diminishing reading habits in students.

On the other hand, there is also the growing awareness of the positive impact that technology can have both in reading and in general on learning.

There are many educational tools, applications and multimedia programmes that can enhance reading, writing and comprehension. Beginning at the top, there are many phonemic applications that can help students start word formation. Combination of words, diction and pronunciation tools that use audio and on screen text greatly aid learning. When students hear the voice over, proper pronunciation can be achieved.

Technology can also have a good effect in the area of reading fluency. Research shows that in order to gain reading fluency student must first understand words by hearing the sound of the word and then by recognising the words. Several voice recognition software can be used by educators to record the student's voice which can be played back for feedback. Correction of in- notations can be done by playing the original software sound track. These tools can help in making the teacher's task much easier.

In the development of vocabulary again, technology can play a positive role. Several online coaching in word building for GRE, ToEFL tests are available online. These programmes offer word comprehension and coaching through daily tests and interactive ways to assess
performance.

Almost all aspects of reading and language development i.e. phonetic, word building, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension can be successfully aided by technology. It is not surprising why Chris Stevens, director of education, EMPGI says that some internet information maybe objectionable and some video games don't enhance intellectual development, but that doesn't mean that all digital content has the same effect.

It is important to recognise that technology can help develop active, creative and thoughtful readers, equipped with the skills and strategies to comprehend deeply what is being read.

The writer is  an entrepreneur and educationist