SOCIAL
Op-Ed: Printed text better for comprehension than digital says new study
Ed Maggs is managing director of Maggs Bros antiquarian booksellers – Copyright AFP CHRIS RADBURN
It’s been a long argument about this subject. Researchers at the University of Valencia have come up with a lot of arguments in favor of print text In their study. Not everyone will be pleased with that outcome.
One of the biggest rocks thrown by the study is the statement that print text is 6 to 8 times better for comprehension. Bear in mind how much training material is digital, and you can see the instant problem.
This is also a bit of a sacred cause for traditional readers who don’t like electronic media. They are now vindicated …perhaps.
There’s a lot more to this argument which is far from obvious:
Different media naturally result in different behaviors. You can’t scroll through a print text. A static screen full of text is a different series of focal lengths and lighting.
The basis of literacy is comprehension, regardless of the types of media used. *
*Literate comprehension means being able to critique information and accurately recall it, from basic information to critique level.
*Quality of information and the quality of its delivery add to these issues. Some people do great science, but their information can be more like a cryptic crossword.
*Even the physical properties of digital text are a problem. Cheapskate pale or iffy fonts do not help readers. You can zoom in and get out of focus, too, partially obscuring the pages. In print text, that font size is long since out of fashion with publishers.
*The type of reading and type of reader are also important. An engaged reader is by definition more involved than a casual reader. If the reader is adding to their knowledge base, the importance of the text is much higher.
The study found that the “reading mindset” for digital media tends to be “shallower”. This could be habituated behavior, and let’s face it, the main reason for constant scrolling is avoiding unnecessary content.
On the other side of this message is the study finding that comprehension improves for secondary school and undergraduates. That may mean simply more pressure or better focus. Other information says that the type of reading material discourages comprehension, which is quite understandable.
There is a major distinction between specialized content and “bits and pieces” of information in any learning environment. Do you remember and prioritize a single paragraph when reading? You might, but mixed media is also a very mixed bag.
I’ve been working online as a writer for decades including a lot of commercial writing. I do both print and digital media. One thing I’ve learned about digital media is that big solid blocks of text are more like obstacle courses for readers than assets to reading.
It’s more eyestrain than information. Comprehension is subject to fatigue. There’s also boredom, repetition, and lack of incentive in the case of the more turgid texts.
The scrolling mindset and the reading mindset are very different. You can’t blame people for scrolling through large slabs of text to get to specific points. Readers need signposts like headings and bullet points for scrolling simply because there is so much to read.
Then there’s the type of digital media to be considered. According to researchers, social media users showed “minimal association with text comprehension”. That’s a very polite way of putting it.
The value of this study is that comprehension is now, finally, a subject for study. It’s long overdue.
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Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.
SOCIAL
Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?
In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.
The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.
According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.
Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.
Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.
The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.
This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.
Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.
As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?
Only time will tell.
SOCIAL
Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach
While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.
When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.
“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.
Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.
“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.”Â
“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.
“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.
Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.
SOCIAL
Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement
Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.
As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.
That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.
Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.
That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.
Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.
Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.
We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.
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