e-Books and Common Core State Standards: The Flexible Nature of Digital Reading

International Reading Association 58th Annual ConventionsDr. Elizabeth Dobler, Emporia State University

Dr. Lotta Larson, Kansas State university

Technology is changing the

way we read,

respond to, and

interact with texts

E-book ReadingE-book reading has been around

since early 1990sMultiple formats: online,

downloadable, linear, multimodalMultiple devices and reading

options

2013 Kids & Family Reading Reporthttp://

mediaroom.scholastic.com/files/kfrr2013-wappendix.pdf

2013 Kids & Family Reading Report46% of children have read an e-

book (doubled since 2010)

◦75% at home◦27% at school◦37% other (library, friend’s house, etc.)

51% are interested in reading e-books

49% of kids said they’d read more if they had greater access to e-books (33% in 2010)

2013 Kids & Family Reading Report% of children who have read an e-book on

each device

2013 Kids & Family Reading Report58% say they will always want to

read books printed on paper (66% in 2010)

Best Practices for Teaching with Digital Readers

Digital reading differs from print reading

Reading comprehension◦Reader factors◦Text factors

Reading ComprehensionReader factors address the aspects that

the readers bring to the reading experience such as background knowledge, engagement with text, and strategies used while reading.

Text factors represent the author’s contributions to the reading experience including the author’s ideas, organization of ideas, and the words used to express those ideas.

(Tompkins, 2010)

Common Core State StandardsCCSS recognize the need to

prepare students for their future success by embedding rigorous standards and calling for literacy-learning through the use of technology.

Text Complexity

Important Attributes of eBooks

Source: Scholastic, 2013

Customizing the Digital “Page” Font sizeFontBackgroundLine spacingMarginsPage orientation

Notes/Annotations

Highlighting

Digital Dictionary

Text-to-Speech & Narration

Interactive, Multimodal features & Internet Access

CCSS Connections

Literature and Informational TextsKey Ideas and Details (Quote from

text; Determine meaning; Compare & contrast)

Craft and Structure (Determine meaning of language; Figurative language; Point of view)

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (Integrate information from multiple sources)

CCSS ConnectionsFoundational SkillsPhonics and Word Recognition

(Letter-sound correspondences; word analysis, decoding)

Fluency (Read orally; rereading)

Speaking & ListeningComprehension and collaboration

(Collaborative discussions; Come prepared; Ask questions)

CCSS ConnectionsLanguage StandardsConventions of Standard English

(Parts of speech; Conventions; Spelling patterns; Reference materials)

Knowledge of Language (Use of language when writing, speaking, reading, or listening)

Vocabulary Acquisition and Use (Consult reference materials, both in print and digital)

Fewer people are reading, but they are reading in more formats than ever.

Digital Book Reading Devices: E-reader, tablet, laptop, desktop, cell phone

21% of adults have read an e-book.

Owners of e-readers read eight more books a year than those without (25 - 17).

58% of adults reading an e-book report reading a print book the day before.

Previous statistics from Younger American Reading and Library Habits, Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2012

Young Adults and Digital Books One third have not read an ebook 63% have not read a digital

textbook

I read Frindle on my iPhone. I liked it because I always have my phone with me, therefore, I always had the book with me! I also enjoyed how you could change the colors, font size, or the way you read (scroll or book style). I read a lot more as an ebook!  I usually am not very motivated to read, but this was different. I LOVE IT!  I have never read an e-book before, but my iBooks library is quickly filling up; I have read two ebooks in record time!  I think this has encouraged me to read more.

I finished the book faster because I read while waiting in lines, hanging out with friends, etc. I am not as against it as I once was. Convenience is nice, but it is a double-edged sword. It makes us frustrated when we can't get something right away and dissatisfied with simple joys. Maybe I am reading too far into it.

Let the Reader Beware:Evaluating the Quality of Digital

Children's Books

Traditional digital book

Original digital book

Book, game, or movie inspired digital book

A Word of Caution

An enhanced digital book promotes discussion related to the digital design rather than the content of the book.

"Print vs. E-Books" Cooney Center at Sesame Street Workshop, 2012

Issues of Quality

reading options, user friendliness, appropriateness, polished appearance

Digital Book Evaluation Rubric

The meaning of the word "book" is being transformed before our eyes.

Digital Fluency: Children must learn to read books in

many different formats.

Caring adults must guide children in their book selections.

Questions/Comments?edobler@emporia.edulottalarson@ksu.edu