Do we read differently on paper than on a screen summary?

Some studies have shown that we believe we have understood the text better, when we read from a screen. However, it has been found that we tend to read faster on screen and consequently understand less compared to when reading from paper.

Why are screens better than books?

Books (or “light on” media) reflect light off the page, as opposed to screens (or “light-through” media), which emit light directly at our eyes. This is one reason why books are better than screens for reading. In sum, we tend to scan screens because they emit direct light.

Is it better to read on paper or on screen?

The studies showed that students of all ages, from elementary school to college, tend to absorb more when they’re reading on paper than on screens, particularly when it comes to nonfiction material. “Sometimes you should print it out, especially if it’s long,” said Clinton.

Are tablets better at reading comprehension than paper readers?

When combining the top two scores for comprehension, paper readers showed a higher percentage. Although there is a greater frequency of score 4 with tablets, this corresponds with a higher frequency and percentage of the mean score, 2.

Do you prefer to read e-books on a screen or tablet?

But among those of the respondents who primarily read on e-readers/tablets, 52\% preferred reading on screens. Discomfort or difficulty in reading e-books on a screen was stated as the main reason they did not like reading e-books.

Do people understand what they read on paper more thoroughly?

Although many old and recent studies conclude that people understand what they read on paper more thoroughly than what they read on screens, the differences are often small. Some experiments, however, suggest that researchers should look not just at immediate reading comprehension, but also at long-term memory.