After my research, some of the major takeaways that I have found
1. Digital media is a a major distractor and negatively impacts reading comprehension. Students tend to skim rather that read deeply. Digital reading encourages multitasking which reduces reading comprehension.
2. Attention spans are shrinking dues to constant distractions on reading devices, computers and phones. Notifications from apps and texts interfere with students work and attention span. Students feel that reading books is "too long" and want shorter content.
3. Students motivation to read is reclining. Social media and short stories/news is replacing their focus for information. Reading is viewed as a task instead of something that brings joy.
4. Low-income students do not have equal access to books and support. Schools in lower income areas are more likely to to have inexperienced teachers and fewer resources.
5. The Covid-19 pandemic increased the decline of reading comprehension. With school closures and disrupted learning, many student fell behind in their reading and remote learning did not help them.
6. Technology can potentially help if used properly. Towards the end of my research I found that AI can aid students to individually support their reading instruction.
Advice for future researchers:
I used the Academic Search Complete and Proquest the most. They seemed to have the best resources for my topic. Outside of Skagit Library, I used Google Scholar which also found many journals for me as well. I did find a lot of website articles all over the place and realized that you really cannot use them as they are usually opinion pieces and do not academically support your research.
Reflection on research experience:
As this is my first major research paper, I would like to give some details for those of you who like to do things in your own order and not always follow instructions perfectly. Its a lot easier to follow the instructions and do the research as the time is allotted.
Please take the time to space your research out. Don’t do it all at once. You will find great research when you are fresh. Find a few, then come back and find a few more when you are fresh again. Please document where you found it on the Skagit website. It is a lot easier if you document every single thing, then you can find it again and cite it correctly.
I think my favorite part was the research, as my topic changed and evolved from the start. Sometimes it will even take you in a circle and you can find things to support your thesis as well as support the exact opposite. It may change the side you want to be on in the argument.
| All Content CC-BY. |
|
