Sunday, November 1, 2026

Reflecting on Digital Culture and Reading


By Joyce Woodard

Perhaps, I was on the right track thinking young readers would have a hard time adjusting if digital platforms went away.

In my February 6, 2026, piece, “Black Students and Online Reading,” I expressed that I believed students would have a harder time than they think if suddenly all digital platforms disappeared. The student that I interviewed in that piece acknowledged there would be an adjustment period, but otherwise they would be fine. I didn’t really believe that then, and I still don’t think it would be that simple. .

Some of the research I’ve done this week has had me thinking about students feeling like they must perform so they look like good students. I think this piece is a clear example of this because almost everyone I asked responded similarly. I’m not saying I don’t think people would read, but I still believe students were greatly underestimating how much they rely on digital platforms. .

Related: 

No comments: