Reading in the Digital Age: Challenges and Learning Adaptations

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This afternoon, a discussion with my students sparked profound questions about the future of literacy. They shared that the current generation prefers watching and interacting digitally over reading in a learning context. This raised a concern: will the culture of reading become a mere memory, replaced by videos and audio? This article explores that debate, asserting that the function of written text in learning and communication remains irreplaceable, while offering adaptive strategies to integrate the learning preferences of the younger generation with the enduring importance of text literacy.

You can read the Indonesian version of this article for free here

The Irreplaceable Function of Written Text in Learning

While videos and audio offer accessibility and auditory-visual appeal, text possesses fundamental advantages in facilitating deep understanding and the development of critical cognitive abilities.

1. Deep and Analytical Understanding

Reading allows individuals to process information at their own pace, pausing to reflect, analyze, and connect ideas. This is a prerequisite for critical and analytical thinking (Liu, 2005). Unlike linear videos, text facilitates…