I am a strong advocate of traditional learning that includes in-person instruction and paper-based learning. The benefits of one delivery system over the other appear negligible for pleasure reading. The selection of one reading mode over the other “is inconsequential when interest is high, such as when reading for pleasure.” However, there is a difference with regard to learning.
While e-learning sometimes provides some flexibility and cost benefits, paper based learning is educationally more effective and sound. Research from the National Literacy Trust shows that “children who read books regularly are 42% more likely to develop better vocabulary and comprehension skills.” In addition, young learners excel when using tangible objects. Dr. Deborah Stipek, the former dean of the school of education at Stanford University, researches the effect of early learning. She maintains that preschool teachers should focus on math instruction because it predicts future success in school. She advocates hands-on activities that provide preschoolers the opportunity to enjoy math as games. Workbooks provide the benefits of tactile learning, which enhances memorization. “Google classrooms & digital practices are not better for math students.”
Digital learning cannot replace the human interaction or the mind-body connection of tactile paper and pencil learning present in person-to-person instruction. So keep the paper and pencil ready!
