Are print media becoming obsolete? Many people think so, with tablets and phones and e-readers all vying for our attention nowadays. Best-selling technology writer Nicholas Carr weighs in on the topic in this August 2013 article from Nautilus.
Read it here: Carr, “Paper versus Pixel”
- With his title, Carr frames a two-sided conflict: paper vs. pixel. On which side does Carr himself stand? Where does he state his position most clearly? What, exactly, does he say?
- The majority of articles about the history and future of printed texts (of which there are many) focus on the technology of printing itself. Why does Carr choose to focus on the invention of Cai Lun? What point is Carr making with his emphasis on paper? Point to examples in the text to support your conclusions.
- Carr presents a wide assortment of evidence to support his argument, from historical accounts to recent scientific and market research. What structure does he employ to keep his ideas flowing smoothly from one section to the next? Is the sequence of evidence effective? Why or why not?
- Carr cites surveys showing that U.S. college students “prefer printed textbooks to electronic ones by an overwhelming margin.” Which do you prefer? Does your preference vary by subject matter or course level? Is a foreign language text, for example, different from one for a biology or economics course? Does print or pixel better facilitate your comprehension? Retention? Attention span? Using Carr as your They Say, write an essay in which you express your textbook preferences, considering these variables as well as any others you find relevant.
They Say I Blog 
The internet creates a very quick and easy way to access many texts filled with information. Although this is very convenient, I prefer reading off of paper. I personally find reading off of the internet or an e-book extremely distracting. This is because there are other things such as apps or the internet to keep you from focusing on reading. Also, looking at the bright screen on a computer or e-book can cause headaches for me. Overall, I prefer paper over reading a text off of the internet.
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Paper vs. Pixel…
Most of us use to read books and when we did, our minds would go above and beyond in the books. We use to love to predict things in our books and to hold a hard cover or paperback in our hands. Most of days, people now use a device where they can read off a screen. But, your life now slowly takes a turn towards being around technology and it seems like your life revolves around it. Ever look at a screen and start seeing the dots of the screen? That’s when you’ve been looking at the screen too much. I prefer books, never technology. My life doesn’t evolve around technology like many others.
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In my opinion Carr focuses on the invention by Cai Lun to emphasize how important the invention of paper was, so then when he says,” It’s hard to respect something that you’re forever throwing in the trash or flushing down the john or blowing your nose into.” meaning that we take advantage of it. People will not see the importance of paper until it’s gone. It also has its plusses because not trees are being saved due to the fact that not as much paper is used.
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Carr stands on the side of paper the most clearly. I agree with Carr with most of what he said. Paper is not dying out yet and I find reading something physically more effective than reading something on a screen. My interest is glued to the book when i read rather when I’m looking and reading of the screen and I start to zone off and scanning the text. Carr backs himself with information that he got from different people. I was shocked with the information that most college students would rather prefer a text book rather than a screen. I stand on the same side i would rather read a text book then look at the same screen. The invention of paper revolutionized the world and Carr says that people thought it would die out a while ago but it’s still productive and lots of people would rather prefer paper than pixel. Carr’s article is great, his arguments flow freely and his ideas all connect. Carr’s writing is great and interesting. The evidence that he brings up is believable and true. I stand with carr, i would rather prefer paper than pixel.
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In discussions of this article “Paper Versus Pixel”, a controversial issue is whether young learners will like to read the books more than on electronics. While some argue that books contain racial themes, profanity, unpopular religious views, and violence, others contend that books may help people understand the books more through reading it on paper.This is not to say the many people have their own perspective on paper books or electronic books.
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In this article Nicholas Carr talks about how simple technology, such as paper has made such a huge impact on society. In the article “Paper versus Pixel” Carr explains how both mediums are used very commonly among humans of all ages. I agree with Carr also that paper is a great invention and is not appreciated as much as it should be. Cai Lun’s invention of paper is one of the most important inventions in history states Carr, which I also agree with. I agree with Carr that it is better to use a paper book than an e-book. Although Carr is trying to express that the internet is becoming the “new paper” because internet is now available almost anywhere and even though it has not been around for as long as paper, it is becoming relied on almost as much.
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In the discussion regarding “Paper vs. Pixels” author Nicholas Carr clearly states his position on the matter. He objects that screens will be used more than paper. He encourages us to focus on how paper was conceived and takes us back on Cai the inventor of the paper. “Most scholars in the field believe” that paper will be extinct, while others contend that paper will always be around. Carr even provides financial and researched evidence on the continuous demand and preference for paper use. “Of course some might object that” they prefer pixel over paper. “Although I concede that” pixels can be “updated on the fly” and other subjects can be easily researched, “I still maintain that” paper allows for more engagement of materials to be read as well as better study tools. Carr tells a story about the creator of paper Cai to make the point on how cumbersome and expensive the process of writing was and how simple and adaptable paper became. “My own experience with” paper yields a point that is similar with Carr. “What I take away from my own experience” is that I prefer paper over pixels. “As a result, I conclude” that it is easier to engage with paper than with pixels although it has its advantages.
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After reading Carr’s article, I learned that the war between paper and pixel may not be entirely one sided. It would seem that pixel won the initial battle, but the war is far from over. Paper publication sales and growth numbers have stabilized, and in some avenues, such as newspaper, have seen a small growth in reader numbers. It would seem that paper is going to continue to be the major source of publication and reading for the foreseeable future.
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Of course some might object that our world is shifting its ways towards more technology. Although I concede that technology is merging into our everyday lives, I still maintain that e-text are better than than print text or books. After reading Paper Versus Pixel by Nicholas Carr, he concluded that both paper and technology are needed in our everyday lives. He is not trying to say one is better than the other or one is over the other but trying to inform people that both are needed. While electronics text (e-print), is more abundant and easier to access, some times free. There is something about reading a paper book that is more satisfying, Nicholas Carr even states that students have taken surveys that conclude that students remember and retain more information through printed text because it is more ¨flexible” and easier to handle. I myself like both ways, print and e-print but I would rather e-text versus print because that’s what my generation has grown up in. Both print and e-text are useful in their own ways and it is just a matter of which one you prefer more. Nowadays since all of the students are issued Chromebooks at our school, I feel that we are forced to read e-text over print.
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I prefer to use a printed book. I think that it is much easier to read and to understand if it is on a printed page. It is also a lot easier to not get distracted and i can read a lot faster on a printed page rather than on a screen page. i would agree with the majority of students that printed pages are better than screen pages.
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In the discussions of Carr’s Paper versus Pixel article, a controversial issue is whether electronic reading sources will one day outshine the traditional paper resources. While some argue that an advantage of the electronic book is that they hold an added convenience, others contend that, traditional books are more flexible as study tools and provoke deeper thinking; studies show that people who read from a printed page understand a text better than those who read the same material on a screen.
This is not to say that one method is the “better” than the other. It comes down to personal preference in some cases, however in my experience reading on print has proven to be more enjoyable and has been a more effective study resource for me. As a result, I conclude that as a student , the replacement of traditional books to electronic books could prove to be catastrophic for pupils like me who depend on these traditional resources to obtain information effectively, regardless of how convenient (or lack there of) this method may be.
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Of course one might object that the understanding you get from reading a printed book is different from the understanding you get from reading an electronic book. Although I concede that reading electronic books comes with a lot of benefits, such as unlimited access to world wide information, I still maintain that your mind processes printed words completely differently than how they process pixel words. The interpretation you make when reading a paperback is different than the interpretation you make when reading an electronic book. The words look the same but are overall made up of entirely different things. Since they are not the same, our minds store the information we gather in various ways.
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I thought that it was interesting to learn about the development of paper throughout the course of history. Carr made a fascinating point when he said “But modern life is inconceivable without paper.” This is true, no matter how far technology comes, we’ll still need paper products to do the things that technology can’t and of course there are will always be people who prefer paper over doing things on computers. Thus the two mediums of reading and writing will coexist in the world until one of the two become obsolete.
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In discussions of technology, a controversial issue is whether printed books or e-books are better. While some argue that e-books are better because of the ease and quick accessibility of it, others contend that a printed book is better, because it’s easier to focus on one thing; reading without getting distracted and tempted to veer off onto other online activities. I personally argue that printed books are better; I like being able to physically turn the pages, and see the progress I’ve made in the book. It’s also much easier to focus, because when you don’t have the Internet right at your fingertips with something like a Kindle, you aren’t as tempted to look at something else. This is not to say that e-books, like the Kindle aren’t helpful. They are very useful for traveling, like when you need to pack it up in a small space, it’s easier to store and carry than a thick book. Both ways have their pros and cons, but in my own opinion, I like reading a printed book over an electronic one.
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Of course some might object that the internet and online writing and reading is becoming more current and taking the place of paper. Many people in colleges still buy tangible books because it is easier to study from and get information. I myself prefer to read off a book rather than electronic devices. Although I concede that paper is still current in everyday life, I still maintain that it will become obsolete in the future. As technology is evolving more people are getting into it and losing the ability to focus on deep reading a book. They lose interest too quickly because of constantly being on the internet.
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Of course some might object that reading screen pages over printed pages is more beneficial to their learning experiences. Although I concede that printed pages are more beneficial to me and my learning, I still maintain that screen pages can be essential and sometimes helpful. I say, “sometimes” because often when I tend to look up important information online, I just skim through the page and skip at least more than half of it and just read what I was searching for and forget about the little details. This is not to say that screen pages haven’t been crucial to me at one point in my life because I can’t say that I would rather look up a simple thing in a big textbook when I have access to the Internet right at my fingertips. However, printed pages seem to be more beneficial to my learning and education because as Carr wrote, “Students say that traditional books are more flexible as study tools, encourage deeper and more attentive reading, and promote better understanding and retention of the material”(Paper Versus Pixel, 13), I agree with the statement that it encourages deeper, much more attentive reading and a better understanding. While reading screen pages I tend to lose my focus because of course the Internet has advertisements and sites that kind of encourage me to lose my focus and concentration. I would much rather pick printed pages over screen pages as a source to my education because doing so makes me concentrate more on what the text is actually about instead of just skimming the page, losing my concentration and not really knowing what exactly it is that I’m reading about.
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Many people believed that the life changing new media of paper was the key to everything in life. Before the idea of the computer even came along, it was thought that if paper was ever lost, that the whole world would be lost. Then the computer was introduced to our world, and paper use sharply declined. Although the world was not lost, people were able to do things typically done on paper, on computers now, which is what caused the decrease in paper usage. In discussions of paper versus pixels, a controversial issue is whether paper will stick around or become obsolete from competition with the computer. Some say that pixels will take over and that they are just the way to go because of their constant convenience. But I think that paper will always be apart of our lives in some way. Many people still prefer reading paper books over electronic books, like myself personally. There are different aspects of tactile paper that appeal to different peoples’ learning styles also. Not to say that computers are very convenient, but only at special times.
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Prior to reading Nicholas Carr’s article, Paper versus Pixel, I have gained knowledge on the many controversial issues pertaining to whether paper or pixel is preferred. In discussions of the strife between paper books and pixel books,a controversial issue is whether paper books are more beneficial reading sources in comparison to pixel books. While some argue that reading from an e-book opens you up to more resources that can essentially benefit your reading, others contend that reading a printed copy of a book, helps the reader to fully comprehend and retain the material it is broadcasting. There are many facts to prove that reading a printed version of a book really does help the reader to really grasp the message being put out. The internet has a strong correlation with disconnectedness, making it harder to concentrate and understand. It poses for more distraction when trying to read. Some go so far as to say that because of the easier access to e-books and the internet, paper, along with books, will become obsolete. Studies show, however, that paper books, along with paper itself, is still thriving over e-books. The reason for this could be that they are simply more constructive than e-books.
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In discussions of paper vs. pixels, a controversial issue is whether paper will become obsolete in the near future or not. While some argue that it will become obsolete sooner rather than later, others, such as Carr, contend that paper will be around and continue to be used for a very long time. Some argue that computers and other technologies will replace paper as well, but evidence provided by Carr shows that computers haven’t replaced paper for its use. The fact that printed pages are still in use and the sale of printed books, magazines, and other media has improved over recent years shows that printed pages can co-exist with digital media. Furthermore, reading from paper compared to that of reading from pixels on a screen affects the way you interpret the material being read. These affects in turn have an effect on one’s way of learning, and people have even come to prefer the printed pages of text books over the online alternative. While the use of digital mediums has increased over the years, printed pages are still relevant and used in everyday life.
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In discussions of our society becoming overwhelmed with technology, a controversial issue is whether e-books are better than paperback books. Carr explains how paper products are so popular and we’ve grown so accustomed to using them, that we don’t even realize how important they are to our daily lives. Cai Lun’s invention had an immense impact on our world, but technologies are coming close to doing the same thing today. While some argue that technology will eventually replace paper products, others, including Nicholas Carr, contend that the two mediums are so different and each have their own unique benefits, that one cannot substitute the other. I agree with them that technology is creeping further and further into our lives, but I don’t think it will ever completely replace paper.
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In discussions of using physical paper or technological means to read, a controversial issue is whether or not we are moving more towards the technology based reading, such as eBooks, rather than paper books. While some argue that books on paper are timeless and easier to focus on, others contend that eBooks are the books of the future, and they will soon take over the paper books as people become more comfortable with screen reading. Personally, I do find myself on the paper book side of the argument. Books have been what people have relied on for informational and personal reading for quite an extensive amount of time. Most are used to focusing on the words on the paper pages more than the words on a bright screen. I know that I have tried several times to enjoy an eBook, but I physically cannot bring myself to stay on the screen as much as a page. Carr shows that even among the public, books have stayed significantly above eBooks in popularity. Most people do agree that it is easier to focus on book pages than eBook screens, and facts have shown that books still have the majority of the reading popularity. Not only do most opinions lie on the side of books instead of eBooks, but facts are also there to back it up. EBooks may become more popular overtime, but books will never be replaced by them.
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In the discussions of the article Paper versus Pixel by Nicholas Carr, a controversial issue is whether printed books will one day be completely replaced by electronic reading. While some might argue that e-books are superior to the printed book due to its convenience, others contend that the printed book is a much more valuable resource, requiring more thinking and making it easier to remember information(supported by studies). This is not to say that either of these viewpoints are right or wrong. We cannot say for a fact that paper is better than pixel or that pixel is better than paper because it is all of a matter of opinion.
My own experience with printed books and e-books yields a point that is both similar and different. Although I do concede that e-books are much more convenient, I still maintain that printed books are a much greater resource than e-books; it makes reading much more effective, and gratifying for me. As a result, I agree with Carr and conclude that paper will not be substituted by pixels anytime soon because the shoes of paper are much too big for the pixels to fill.
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Carr tells a story about Cai Lun to make the point that he changed the course of the world by inventing paper. I agree with Carr on his opinion that paper is very important and we don’t recognize just how useful it really is. We pick up so many paper products throughout our day without even realizing it. Without paper, they way we do every day activities would differ greatly. The article also states that electronics are now rivaling paper, but I don’t think we should worry about electronics replacing paper. I personally prefer paper over pixel, and I feel like there are many others who’d agree. There are just some things that are easier to do on paper. For example, when you’re reading a book on paper and you need to find a specific passage, you can easily flip through the pages to find it since it’s easy to remember the general area. With electronics they are no pages to flip through and it’s a lot harder to find a certain passage. This is especially useful if you’re doing school work, such as an essay, and you need to find a quote to use. While it may seem easier and more convenient to use electronics over paper, it’s definitely more preferable to have paper for certain circumstances. Overall, I agree with Carr and feel that there’s no need to worry about paper fading away from our interests just yet.
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In discussions of whether paper will someday be totally eradicated from our society, a controversial issue is whether the electronic media will someday replace the paper media completely. While some argue that there is no need to replace paper if it has served us so well for so long, others contend that the electronic screen is the future of reading and media. I tend to like reading on paper rather than a bright screen. I think that there is less chance of a distraction while reading in a book or magazine compared to an e-book or a computer. Paper, in my opinion, will never be truly replaced it is too versatile. It can be used for many things, not just for book or magazine pages.
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I prefer reading paper books than electronic books. Paper books feel more interactive and it’s easier for me to get into what I’m reading when I actually hold what I’m reading rather than just looking at it on the screen. When you read electronic books in the internet, there are also many distractions, ads on the side, pop-ups, you can create more tabs that might get you distracted, but reading paper books, it’s just you, concentrated on the book.
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I find it very interesting that Uzanne predicted this future technology. If we were to think about our technology 50 years ago, they didn’t even dream of what would come 50 years later. Technology increased at an insane rate.
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upon reading paper vs pixel, i see when he says that paper is becoming obsolete. But then again, i do believe it will never go completely obsolete. As popular as online text may get, the written word will always be around. there are enough people in the world that prefer to have the physical object to read, rather than reading it on a screen.
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In Nicholas Carr’s article titled “Paper Versus Pixel”, Carr discusses the cognitive differences between the reading of print pages and digital writing. He also discusses the societal preferences of readers, and the lifespan of print text as digital consumes the modern world. In reading his article, it is evident that Carr has a personal preference for print. In the sub-article, “Even our love notes are passed between servers.”, Carr explains the intellectual differences between print and digital, and the different cognitive functions that each requires. Carr states that, “The physical presence of the printed pages, and the ability to flip back and forth through them, turns out to be important to the mind’s ability to navigate written works, particularly lengthy and complicated ones.” He then goes on to say that, “The spatial memories [developed while reading print pages] seem to translate into more immersive reading and stronger comprehension.” Carr expresses his belief that the reading of print text has a benefit superior to that of digital text in comprehension and thorough absorption of information, and supports his statements with an experiment conducted in Norway with young readers. I agree with his points regarding the benefits of reading print over digital. From my own experience, I find that reading print text with multiple pages allows me to better understand and remember what I’ve read, and refer back to specific passages with convenience. My attention also tends to be better focused on print for a longer period of time.
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I agree that the way people learn and read based on the media they take the information from (be it paper or pixel) because my experience with trying to study off of my computer vs. studying from a textbook confirms it. I always find that I retain knowledge much easier and quicker if I chose to read from printed pages rather than reading from an article online. Even while I read for enjoyment I remember small things about plot and characters in much greater detail when I choose to read an actual book instead of my kindle when I owned one. This made my reading experience always more informative and more enjoyable.
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In discussion of paper vs. pixel, a controversial issue is whether reading on online (like on a tablet or phone) versus reading on paper (since we’ve always had paper from a long time ago). While some argue that reading off paper is better than reading off a screen, others contend that reading off a screen is just as good, or even better than reading off paper/books. Most of us use to read books and when we did, our minds would go above and beyond in the books. We use to love to predict things in our books and to hold a hardcover or paperback in our hands. Most days, people now use a device where they can read off a screen. But, your life now slowly takes a turn towards being around technology and it seems like your life revolves around it. Ever look at a screen and start seeing the dots of the screen? That’s when you’ve been looking at the screen too much. I prefer books, never technology. My life doesn’t revolve around technology like many others.
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With paper and pen being so easy to use anywhere in the world, it would seem that it would never become obsolete, if per say you were out of power in mid winter what would you do without access to online books? You would read a physical book. If paper and ink get wet, you can simply dry it off. If someone were to sink a nook into a tub of water you wouldn’t be able to use it for much longer. You would be left with just a broken electronic. It is not to say though that ebooks are entirely useless, if you don’t understand a segment of quotation or a reference you can simply look it up right then and there. In the end both forms of literature have their pros and cons.
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In discussion of paper vs. pixel, a controversial issue is whether reading on online (like on a tablet or phone) versus reading on paper (since we’ve always had paper from a long time ago). While some argue that reading off paper is better than reading off a screen, others contend that reading off a screen is just as good, or even better than reading off paper/books. Most of us use to read books and when we did, our minds would go above and beyond in the books. We use to love to predict things in our books and to hold a hardcover or paperback in our hands. Most days, people now use a device where they can read off a screen. But, your life now slowly takes a turn towards being around technology and it seems like your life revolves around it. Ever look at a screen and start seeing the dots of the screen? That’s when you’ve been looking at the screen too much. I prefer books, never technology. My life doesn’t revolve around technology like many others.
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In discussions of paper vs pixel, a controversial issue is whether printed books are better to read than reading them on a screen. While some argue that reading books on a screen is better because you can read many books at once and reread them over and over again, others contend that reading a printed version of the book makes you understand what you are reading about more. Reading off the Internet can easily get a person distracted while reading from paper makes you more focused and helps you understand more of what you are reading. Studies have even shown that people who read books on paper have a better chance of actually understanding what they are reading about rather than those who read online. This is not to say that reading online makes you dumb. Some people can be more focused reading something from the screen rather than paper. So after reading this article, I believe that paper will still be around no matter what because there will always be someone who prefers reading a book on paper rather than reading from a screen.
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I prefer to have actual paper in my hands when I study. If I am just reading for leisure or enjoyment, I would prefer to have electronic media to decrease the clutter present in my house, but if I am reading to retain and learn something, I feel I learn better when I have the physical book with me. Maybe it is because of my age, when I went to school we had physical books, so that is what I grew up with. It doesn’t matter what I am learning about, or the level of difficulty of the class, for whatever reason I do better when reading from an actual text book. Because of this reason, I don’t believe that print media will go away just yet, but as the years go on and technology is incorporated into every class room at a younger and younger age, I believe the trend will be to have eBooks and digital readings more widely used and liked.
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For studying or anything work related, there is no other option for me than hard copy books. Its the best way for me to comprehend what I am reading and to focus on while I do it. As an online student, who cannot always afford hard copies of books, however, I have had to adjust. Often a lot of our homework assignments are on-line. When this happens, I will usually print a hard copy. I want to be able to highlight in different colors so that I can reference things easier. I also like to make notes or star different passages. It doesn’t matter which subject that I am working on, I will constantly use paper while working. I think the best example of this is my planner. I try and I try to convert to a calendar on my phone, which I always have on me, but I fail every time. If I rely on my phone to tell me, I will most likely end up ignoring the pop up notification that shows up. But my planner…thats my holy bible. If its written in there, it will get done.
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Amanda
For studying or anything work related, there is no other option for me than hard copy books. Its the best way for me to comprehend what I am reading and to focus on while I do it. As an online student, who cannot always afford hard copies of books, however, I have had to adjust. Often a lot of our homework assignments are on-line. When this happens, I will usually print a hard copy. I want to be able to highlight in different colors so that I can reference things easier. I also like to make notes or star different passages. It doesn’t matter which subject that I am working on, I will constantly use paper while working. I think the best example of this is my planner. I try and I try to convert to a calendar on my phone, which I always have on me, but I fail every time. If I rely on my phone to tell me, I will most likely end up ignoring the pop up notification that shows up. But my planner…thats my holy bible. If its written in there, it will get done.
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I prefer holding a book with my hands over a computer. I like to look to look and see how much more I need to read before I am finished. Feeling the pages within my fingertips is more rewarding than toggling with my mouse to see my reading accomplishment. I also enjoy flipping back and forth from where I am reading back to what I have previously read, it helps me understand the material.
One of my main reasons I prefer a book to a computer is I can highlight and refer back to the content of the book; something I cannot do with a computer. I can make side notes regarding the content in which I’m reading.
Lastly, this is the first semester I have purchased an e-book as a text book. Honestly, I do not like the experience I am having with the e-book and probably will never purchase another e-book again. I find something I can hold within my fingertips and have the ability to see what I’ve read and what else I need to read is much more satisfying.
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In “Paper Versus Pixel,” Carr suggests that electronic media will never fully replace printed forms of writing. To defend his position, Carr points to surveys of college students who preferred “printed textbooks to electronic ones by an overwhelming margin.” While I agree with Carr’s point, I personally do not fall in the category of students who would choose a traditional textbook. I find no difference in my level of comprehension between the two types of media and I certainly prefer electronic media that is digitally searchable. I also appreciate the lower carbon footprint of a digital text, taking into account production, shipping, and recycling energy requirements.
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Interesting article about paper verses electronics and strangely enough I actually thought about that from time to time, though I have never written my thoughts down regarding this matter. When I completed nursing school we were half paper and half electronic record at that time. 13 years later the papers continue to decrease and the electronic records continue to increase. I completely understand how “old” nurses must feel regarding this transaction because for me it is difficult. I suppose I am one of those people who will always need something tangible in my hand.
I find myself printing out all assignments even though they are on line to view. There is nothing wrong with electronics of anything. However, I do not think that the person who came up with electronic health records was ever a nurse. If they were, they would understand the meaning behind “down time” which equals no electronic access which in turn equals more work for the nurse. Electronic records have mad it so easy for us to just “click ” through a full body assessment and it doesn’t take long. Paper charting takes substantially longer when you are not used to doing it.
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I have wondered if print would eventually become obsolete. However, after reading this article and thinking about how I feel reading from a tablet or reading from a book. I totally empathize with the author. I know, from personal experience, about the “feel” of a book. The feel of quality paper, how it turns, how it crisps in your fingers while turning its pages. While pixel is taking over the world there is something deeper, more real, about reading print on paper.
I don’t believe that the printed book will ever go away completely. I mean after all what would you lay on your coffee table with bright beautiful pictures of the Grand Canyon and other place to see?
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As an avid reader, I enjoy reading printed text as well as digital. Even though I enjoy both, I much prefer to read a printed text. I love getting to feel the book in my hands and have that book smell, I can’t be the only one who notices. I enjoy the convenience of digital text as I can read anywhere without needing to carry a book with me. When traveling, I always worry about finishing the printed book and not having anything else; digital text makes this a smaller worry.
My views differ with school texts. I much prefer printed text when dealing with needing to learn the material. I can highlight in my book as well as I can have it with me in class as I rarely have access to retrieve a digital version of the book. There are still pros to digital texts for school purposes. One of these is the student can search the entire work for a word or phrase using ‘Control F’ and have the topic they are looking for in seconds. I just prefer the printed text for school purposes as it can always be used in class.
I prefer print over pixel.
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Which do I prefer? Paper or Pixel when it comes to reading? The answer lies in the material I am reading. Most certainly text books need to be in print. Why? Nicholas Carr explains it well in the article Paper Versus Pixel: The science of reading shows that print and digital experiences area complementary (2013). Spatial memories of where information is in the text. I consider myself a visual learner and why looking at a screen is visual, having the text and visualizing the pages and charts on the page help me find information quickly. I also feel I retain more and am less likely to “mind wander” with printed texts. Other reading materials I need for educational purposes I usually print out, like articles. I like to highlight and make comments especially if I will be writing an essay. It is easier to navigate in print. My comprehension is better as well with printed sources.
I have read leisure books both in print and as ebooks. There is something very different about seeing a book in it entirety. Visually able to determine how many pages you have read, how much more is left. Knowing you are on page 100/469, is not as concrete in my mind. A special feeling is made was the last page is turned and the book is closed. An ebook, it’s over, you still feel a sense of the story, but it not the same. It is hard to explain.
Magazines I prefer in print. They usually have multiple things on a page and pictures. Viewing them electronically is not the same. You must click and zoom. They are not aesthetically appealing to me in pixels.
News articles I will read online. I am not one for the news, but if I find something interesting I can read it and move on. I do not need a whole newspaper.
I believe most materials will continue to be in both forms print and pixel unless the company is losing money and decides to go all electronic. One of the benefits of electronic sources are they are free or cheaper than printed materials. So sometimes I will go with electronic to save money.
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Nicholas Carr’s article “Paper versus Pixel”, is based on what people prefer, paper or electronic versions. I myself stand in the middle. With some things I prefer paper, such as text books, but I do not mind reading small articles electronically. However, if I am planning to do any homework assignment on an electronic article, I usually print it out on paper, because I find it easier to look back on the information.
I believe that I better understand and comprehend the information when it is in print. I can’t say why i feel this way but I love to have the information in hand. I like to be able to look back on things multiple times, fold back the pages so I know exactly where I am going, and I like to not worry about being plugged into a wall so my computer, phone, or ipad does not die. When I am writing a paper, I do not like to switch back and forth between screens to compare articles or find a quote that I want to reference in a report I am writing.
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I dont really know if I prefer one method over the other, I think that it just depends on the subject. I do retain information better when it is a printed version. I think I cheat myself from learning when I use an e-book. An e-book almost makes it easy to skim the information or not read it at all but still get by. For example when taking an online quiz, some subjects I can keyword search the entire text and it will take me directly to the answer. Some subjects, like english for example, that is not a helpful tool so I dont mind having an e-book for that course because I find it is important to read all the information and the e-book makes it easy to go back and forth to help me with the task at hand. However, I do hope that they continue to print books because I do prefer them on certain subjects because I can remember the pages in my head even years after I read it. I can not say the same for digital print.
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I would rather have a book. When I study I like to read a few pages and then go back earlier in the chapter if I want to check out a picture or graph. It is easy to flip a few pages back, whereas on a tablet I have to open a new tab or something. In addition I like the feel of having a book or something in my hands. I can use my fingers to follow the sentences but on a tablet I would just smudge the screen. With a book I can be focus on studying, a tablet makes it easy to browse the internet.
I will always prefer printed text, and I will always prefer books that are an edition earlier!
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I ultimately prefer to read a printed book on paper. I like to turn the pages. It gives me a feeling of productivity when I see how many pages that I have read. I actually print all the articles that are assigned to read electronically. As long as they are not too lengthy as to use up all of my ink. I would choose a book as opposed to electronic in all of my educational classes. I like to flip back and forth when reading. The only time that I would choose electronic is if the the book was priced extremely higher. Therefore, I have experienced a class using the electronic version. The things that I like about the electronic was that it was portable. I did not have tfall is if your battery is low on the electronic device and you have to ability to plug it in. That does not happen with a book. You can read a book with a flashlight.
As far as I know, there are no differences in a foreign language book compared to a biology book. If the font and pixel is clear and legible, it is irrelevant. If the wording is clear, I am able to comprehend the material. This has no effect on retaining the material that I read. My attention span is not affected by the print or pixel.
I have recently discovered the used book stores for novels. This is a great way to keep the costs down. I don’t have to accumulate hundreds of book. I exchange them for a new book that has been discounted. I like that
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Personally when I open a paperback textbook it brings me back to my childhood learning years, the nostalgia is great but the remembrance of lugging around what seemed to be 2 tons in my book-bag is not. Aside from the weight and inconvenience of carrying around a paper textbook I find it easier to learn via electronic textbooks. I feel as though reading electronically gives me more freedom and if I lose my spot or need to jump right to a topic I can use the handy dandy “CTRL+F” key to find whatever I am looking for. I am on board with technology and agree there is less use for paperback textbooks as even my grandparents possess a smartphone. It is all personal preference as to what the individuals learning style is but I find it that I retain more information and have a greater attention span reading online. I also find it useful that when I get stuck and do not understand something I can just open a new tab and go to good ole “google.”
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I undoubtedly prefer printed texts to digital ones, especially in a school setting. There is something about physically holding a book in your hands that just feels more fulfilling. Personally, I feel better connected with whatever I am reading. Perhaps this is due to the fact when using an electronic device to read, there is greater potential for distraction. The Internet, social media, or text messaging features are just a click away. When one sits down to study a physical text, it is not quite as easy to get off track.
The specific book genre really has no effect on my own preferences. Regardless of the subject, I enjoy having an actual book in my possession. As far as the entire learning experience is concerned, I still believe physical texts are better. Again, it is easier to get engaged because fewer disruptions are present. Overall, I can firmly declare that hard copies are far more desirable than digital ones.
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When talking about the type of media that works best for me while studying would have to be text that is physically in front of my such as a book. Something I can go and highlight and underline the important aspects or points that i need. When it comes to searching for things in a book, i feel as though electronic media versions of a textbook work just as well. I am able to search and find things, but for learning purposes I really like an actual book. This does vary depending on the type of class that I am taking. when it comes to a math or science class, I definitely need the actual book, if it comes to an English class or just to read for fun I would much rather the electronic format. I can take it anywhere with me, accessing it most times from my phone which I always have. I don’t have to worry about leaving my book behind, or having room for it when taking trips or just moving from place to place. Its the most convenient way to be able to do work and keep up with tasks that I need to.
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4.
I would agree with Carr and the survey results he has provided. I myself prefer printed textbooks over electronic books for all subject matters. Printed books seem to have less distraction and are easier for my eyes to focus on. For some reason computer screens make my eyes tired and I easily lose my place in the text. Even now, at the end of my online degree, I still rely heavily on my printer, as I often print my notes and essays from my online school. I believe I will always prefer printed word. I also prefer carrying a paper book with me over an electronic device, electronic devices are easily damaged and costly to replace, that is just not the case with printed books!!
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