We might have known it for some time, but now it is official. Data collected from just over 500 students attending a "highly selective" but unnamed Midwestern university during 2006 and 2007 was compiled and released by Iowa State University. That data shows that these students routinely use the Internet and are reading more than their counterparts did 10 years ago.
The report will be published this April in the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, the professional journal of the International Reading Association.
Ninety-five percent of students reported using the Internet "every day or almost every day" to e-mail (90.4 percent), instant message (63.8 percent), browse Web sites (56.2 percent), listen to music (52.5 percent) and conduct research (47.7 percent). Students in the survey also reported higher enjoyment of Internet use than in reading or watching television.
When given three recreational choices -- television, Internet and reading -- the students were most likely to choose Internet and then reading. Television, while still popular, ranked third. The data, however, did not determine how many students were watching television shows or clips while online. It also did not question the students on television viewing that was downloaded to portable devices, such as iPods. ISU researchers are hopeful that more detail will be available in future studies.
The students reported spending nearly 8 hours per week on recreational reading, and an additional 15.19 hours on academic reading. The study authors note that this is "considerably higher" than the amounts reported by college students during studies in 1999 and 1994.
One other interesting aspect of the study was that the college students reported an affinity for multi-tasking, or taking on several activities at one time. While completing an academic reading assignment, for instance, students might also be watching a television program or streaming music via the Internet.
The report will be published this April in the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, the professional journal of the International Reading Association.
Ninety-five percent of students reported using the Internet "every day or almost every day" to e-mail (90.4 percent), instant message (63.8 percent), browse Web sites (56.2 percent), listen to music (52.5 percent) and conduct research (47.7 percent). Students in the survey also reported higher enjoyment of Internet use than in reading or watching television.
When given three recreational choices -- television, Internet and reading -- the students were most likely to choose Internet and then reading. Television, while still popular, ranked third. The data, however, did not determine how many students were watching television shows or clips while online. It also did not question the students on television viewing that was downloaded to portable devices, such as iPods. ISU researchers are hopeful that more detail will be available in future studies.
The students reported spending nearly 8 hours per week on recreational reading, and an additional 15.19 hours on academic reading. The study authors note that this is "considerably higher" than the amounts reported by college students during studies in 1999 and 1994.
One other interesting aspect of the study was that the college students reported an affinity for multi-tasking, or taking on several activities at one time. While completing an academic reading assignment, for instance, students might also be watching a television program or streaming music via the Internet.
