Reading Attitudes of Middle School Students

Question: How do middle-school students feel about reading in print and reading in a digital setting?

Quote: “To examine the current state of reading attitudes among middle school students in the United States, a survey was developed and administered to 4,491 students in 23 states plus the District of Columbia. The instrument comprised four subscales measuring attitudes toward: recreational reading in print settings, recreational reading in digital settings, academic reading in print settings, and academic reading in digital settings.” P.283.

Here’s the instrument:

> How do you feel about reading news online for class?

> How do you feel about reading a book in your free time?

> How do you feel about doing research using encyclopedias or other books for a class?

> How do you feel about instant messaging or e-mailing friends in your free time?

> How do you feel about reading online for a class?

> How do you feel about reading a textbook?

> How do you feel about reading a book online for a class?

> How do you feel about talking with friends about something you’ve been reading in your free time?

> How do you feel about getting a book or a magazine for a present?

> How do you feel about texting friends in your free time?

> How do you feel about reading a book for fun on a rainy Saturday?

> How do you feel about working on an Internet project with classmates?

> How do you feel about reading anything printed (books, magazines, comic books, etc.) in your free time?

> How do you feel about using a dictionary for class?

> How do you feel about being on social websites like Facebook of MySpace in your free time?

> How do you feel about looking up information online for a class?

> How do you feel about reading a newspaper or a magazine for a class?

> How do you feel about reading a novel for class? P. 291.

Quote: “The attitudes of females were more positive than those of males toward academic reading in print and digital settings and toward recreational reading of print. In contrast, males exhibited more positive attitudes than females toward recreational reading in digital settings.” P. 200.

Quote: “…the potential of digital environments for increasing engagement and fostering social interaction remains unrealized, and students’ attitudes toward reading are likely to be similar with respect to the two environments.” P. 299.

Comment: No clear-cut differences between digital and print reading. The questionnaire is interesting. Try it with your students. RayS.

Title: “Reading Attitudes of Middle School Students: Results of a U.S. Survey.” Michael C. McKenna, et al. Reading Research Quarterly (July/ August/ September 2012), 283-306.