Virtual reading is simply reading on a digital device. It first appeared on the literary landscape a few years ago and is growing in popularity. Here are some of its advantages.
The only difference between reading a print book and an e-book is the medium. You can enjoy reading on the following devices:
- A computer
- An e-reader
- An e-tablet
- A smartphone
Does your child already spend a lot of time in front of a screen? Encourage them to curl up with an e-book instead of playing video games or watching TV. Reading is a simple way to ensure their academic success!
E-books have settings that can be changed to meet your child’s needs and increase reading comfort. For example, readers can make the following changes:
- Enlarge the text
- Increase or decrease screen brightness
- Activate voice playback
- Etc.
Children who enjoy electronic media and get excited about technology tend to be more motivated to read e-books than traditional print books (even though they’re just as cool!). You might as well take advantage of their interest and introduce them to virtual reading.
To increase its appeal and, more importantly, keep your child engaged, point out that virtual reading allows them to do the following:
- Take notes (e.g., annotations, audio memos)
- Quickly find a word definition
- Easily obtain the e-book they want
- Etc.
E-books stimulate (almost) all the senses, offering budding readers a complete experience. Since virtual reading involves sight, sound, and touch, kids tend to find the experience more enjoyable. As a result, they’re more motivated to pick up an e-book and may even become better readers:
- More focused
- Participative
- Enthusiastic
- Etc.
E-books and traditional print books complement one another. That means you can use both media to expose your child to reading more frequently.
Through virtual reading, children can easily communicate with other kids who are interested in similar reading material. They can discuss what they’re currently reading and even exchange e-book recommendations.
Seeing what kids their age are reading and receiving book suggestions and reviews can pique your child’s curiosity and encourage them to do the following:
- Visit online reading databases
- Discover a new author
- Join a book club
- Etc.
Virtual reading is economical. First, you no longer need to go to the library or bookstore, which saves a lot of time. Since you can buy e-books online, or borrow them from your library’s website, no travel is required.
Plus, e-books are generally less expensive than their print counterparts. Once you’ve invested in an e-reader or other device, virtual reading saves you money.
Here are some websites offering a wide selection of e-books:
Section Alloprof:
Sur Internet :
Writing : Marie-Claude Ouellet
Scientific review : Mathieu Labine-Daignault, resource teacher
Rewriting : The Alloprof Parents' team
CARIGNAN, Isabelle (2010). « La lecture à l’écran : quelles stratégies enseigner ? », Québec Français, (159), 74-76.
Paediatrics & Child Health (2017). Le temps d’écran et les jeunes enfants : promouvoir la santé et le développement dans un monde numérique;22(8) : 469–477