Students Learn Better When Reading on Paper

New research from the National Reading Centre at the University of Stavanger has found that students learn better when reading on paper, as using paper leads to better comprehension and attention than reading on screens, particularly for students with weaker reading skills.

The study, led by researcher Viktoria Holsey Foss, highlights the challenges that digital reading environments can create. Online reading often comes with distractions such as notifications, pop-ups, and easy access to other apps and activities. In addition, reading on a screen requires more navigation and decision-making, placing extra demands on the reader’s attention.

Foss’s research examined how vocational students understood subject-specific texts when reading on paper versus on screens. The findings were clear: students with the lowest levels of reading proficiency showed poorer comprehension when reading digitally.

According to Foss, students who already struggle with reading devote a significant amount of cognitive effort to decoding text. Additional distractions and competing stimuli can reduce the mental resources available for comprehension and concentration.

Interestingly, the study also explored whether removing online distractions would improve digital reading outcomes. Even when students read digitally without an internet connection, reading comprehension and attention remained stronger when texts were presented on paper. Foss suggests that this may be linked to the way many people associate digital devices with notifications, multitasking, and activities unrelated to focused reading.

Teachers See the Same Benefits

Fred Arne Kjørkleiv, a construction teacher at Godalen Upper Secondary School, says the findings reflect his own classroom experience.

Kjørkleiv has also encouraged students to read aloud from printed materials. He notes that reading from a book naturally creates opportunities for questions, discussion, and deeper engagement with the content.

The Value of Paper in Learning

The study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that paper remains an important medium for learning and comprehension. While digital tools have an important place in education, the research suggests that printed materials can provide distinct advantages for concentration, understanding, and retention. This is particularly for students who need additional support with reading.

For educators and policymakers seeking to improve literacy and learning outcomes, the findings serve as a reminder that paper continues to play a vital role in helping students engage deeply with what they read.