Messages are Everywhere: Reading Perceptions, Habits, and Preferences of Undergraduates

Abstract

As society continues to evolve, so do the methods that are used for text-based communication. Electronic books, mobile phone text messaging, and an array of internet-based texts are now combined with traditional print forms of text, broadly expanding text-based communication. However, student perceptions of reading may still be limited to interactions with traditional forms of text communication. To determine college students' perceptions of reading, their reading habits, and their learning preferences by source of text, we surveyed 152 undergraduates, rank ordering their responses. Our analysis revealed a lack of alignment between the participants' responses, with interaction with non-traditional forms of text ranked highest in reading habits while participants' perceptions and preferences for reading were focused more on traditional text-based forms of communication. Implications, directions for future research, and limitations are discussed.