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Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology
Project duration 01.12.2024 – 31.05.2025

Digital and analogue reading: Effects on vocabulary gains (DiAna)

The DiAna project examines how reading texts on paper versus on a tablet affects vocabulary acquisition in fourth-grade students. Using a randomized within-subject design, the children read texts in both formats, and their vocabulary gains are measured before and after reading. Individual characteristics such as reading motivation and computer usage are also taken into account. The project aims to provide insights into how digital media can be effectively integrated into the classroom to support language learning.

Funding

FAIR (Ministerium für Schule und Bildung des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen)

Project description

The DiAna project investigates how digital media impacts vocabulary acquisition in fourth-grade students. The aim is to compare whether reading texts on paper or on a tablet leads to differences in learning new words.

The project uses a randomized within-subject design, meaning that all participating children read texts in both formats: on paper and on a tablet. Initially, the children complete a vocabulary test to assess which of the words in the texts they already know.

Logo des Projekts als stilisiertes Tablet mit dem bunten Schriftzug DiAna

They then read a text (either on paper or on a tablet) and complete another vocabulary test to measure the increase in learned words. This process is repeated for the other reading medium. In addition, individual characteristics such as the children’s reading motivation and weekly computer usage are assessed to control for their influence on vocabulary acquisition. This approach allows the study to identify differences between the two reading formats while accounting for individual factors.

With these findings, DiAna aims to optimize the use of digital media in the classroom. The results will provide insights into the conditions under which tablets can be effectively used as a tool in language education to enhance vocabulary acquisition.

Lead researcher at IFS

Project management

Project team

External project partners