HOW DO STUDENTS PREFER TO READ? AN ANALYSIS COMPARING PRINT AND DIGITAL FORMATS

Abstract

The research in question aimed to investigate the reading preferences of high school students in schools in the state of Mato Grosso, analyzing their choices between digital and print formats and understanding how these preferences relate to motivation, pedagogical practices, and the use of technology in the school context. To this end, a case study was developed, with qualitative and quantitative analyses. Data collection was carried out through the application of a questionnaire containing 7 questions, 5 closed and 2 open-ended, to 15 first-year high school students from different schools in the state of Mato Grosso. The results show that a large proportion of students enjoy reading and demonstrate greater interest in digital reading compared to print reading. This is because the digital format is seen as more attractive and practical, as well as being part of the students' daily lives. The data also showed that many believe that the school should use more technological resources in teaching reading, making activities more dynamic and closer to the students' reality. Thus, it is evident that digital media sparks the interest of young people, since they interact daily with electronic devices and online tools. Therefore, teachers can take advantage of this natural interest to bring technology into the classroom, using it as an ally to motivate students and encourage reading habits in a more engaging way. It is also worth highlighting that the constant transformations in the fields of technology, communication, and information require schools to keep up with these changes. Furthermore, only a minority of students opt for printed format or a mix of formats, suggesting that the coexistence of both formats can bring benefits when it comes to reading.