Teaching Reading Comprehension in a Digital World

As reading increasingly shifts to digital devices, from phone and tablet usage to reading articles from social media, teaching reading comprehension is becoming more rooted in digital environments. 

This is the second volume of the IEA Research for Educators book series from IEA (International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement). This open-access series provides evidence-based instructional materials for classroom use, bridging the gap between education research and practice. 

Theory and Practice
The first section of the book reviews research on digital reading, focusing on the differences between print and on-screen reading and the skills required for effective digital reading. Comprehending digital texts requires unique strategies, such as navigating multiple sources and synthesizing information. The research also emphasizes the need for critical thinking in digital environments and serves as a foundation for the rest of the book, which delves deeper into digital literacy and its educational implications.

This volume also highlights practices from schools in Ireland, Italy, and Singapore, based on their participation in PIRLS. Each school shares how their teachers approach teaching reading comprehension for digital texts, offering practical tips and example lessons. These real-world strategies provide inspiration for educators, helping them enhance their teaching practices and better support students in mastering digital reading and comprehending digital texts.