The reading habits of university students studying English language and literature in the digital age

Year 2014, Volume: 10 Issue: 2, 85 - 99, 31.12.2014

Oktay Akarsu Tevfik Darıyemez

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the current reading habits and attitudes of university students studying English Language and Literature at Atatürk University.  Moreover, it aims to determine the changes in reading patterns due to the widespread use of the internet and the use of alternative reading resources notably using hypertexts and multimedia resources. The medium from which people read has gained diversity as a result of the advances in technology. In addition to traditional reading patterns such as reading from paperback books, reading from electronic devices such as e-book readers, tablet computers, computers and mobile phones have become widespread. In order to have a broad overview of the current reading habits among university students, a questionnaire was conducted. Conducting research to gain a broad overview of the reading habits of learners, the researcher can make suggestions to foster reading habits among university students in the constantly technology dominated world of today. 

Keywords

reading habits, e-book, technology assisted reading, importance of reading, developing reading habits

References

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• Appendix A. Reading Habits Questionnaire
• I. Demographic: (Please check (x) your answer. Thank you)
• Gender: Male ( ) Female ( )
• Age: Under 20( ), 20-21 ( ), 22-23 ( ), 24-25( ), 26-27 ( ), over 27 ( )
• Hours spent online everyday: 0-1 hours ( ), 1-3 ( ), 4-6 ( ), Over 6 ( )
• The total number of magazines and novels you read in a year.................
• How often do you read each of the following in a general week?
• (Please check (x) your answer. Thank you) Reading Never Rarely Sometimes Often Very often Newspaper Magazines Text books Novels E-mails Online information III.
• What techniques to develop the reading abilities:
• (Please check (x) your answer) Techniques Yes No
• Parental guidance and encouragement
• Motivation by teachers
• Reading materials about hobbies and interests
• Consistent use of dictionary
• Daily newspaper reading Book reading Visiting libraries
• Well-prepared reading material
• Studying to improve vocabulary and knowledge
• Dijital çağda İngiliz dili ve edebiyatı okuyan üniversite öğrencilerinin
• okuma alışkanlıkları