A STUDY ON READING PRINTED BOOKS OR E-BOOKS: REASONS FOR STUDENT-TEACHERS PREFERENCES

ABSTRACT

This study tried to determine the preferences of student-teachers on reading printed books or e-books and the reasons for these preferences. Reading printed books and e-books preferences of students are discussed in terms of gender and department variables. 258 student-teachers who are studying in Computer Education and Instructional Technologies (CEIT), Music Education (ME), Preschool Education (PE), Primary School Education (PSE), Social Sciences Education (SSE) and Turkish Language Education (TLE) departments participated in the research voluntarily. The students were asked five survey questions. To evaluate the data percentage, mean, standard deviation and chi-square test were used. According to the answers given to the questions prepared by the researcher, only 20.9% of the students currently read e-books. The rate of e-books reading students is higher in CEIT and Social Sciences Education divisions than the other divisions. In another finding of the study, male students read e-books more than female students. The reading rate of students who prefer reading e-books to printed books is 96.5%, if the hardware and software requirements are met. This choice is analyzed in terms of divisions; CEIT students prefer reading e-books to printed books less than the students of other divisions. Same choice is analyzed in terms of gender; the rate of preferring to read e-books in female students is higher than male students. The reasons for students preferring to read printed books to e-books are: 25.6% "to protect my eye health" and 25.2% "I like holding the book in my hands" are the most given answers. These two responses were given mostly by the students of Primary School Education division. Also, the rate of students who prefer printed books and give "to protect my eye health" as a reason is higher in CEIT division than other departments. "I understand better when I read the book in my hand" preference reason is higher in CEIT students with a rate of 5.5% than students in other departments. The response of “I do not have the technology to read e-books" is 1.6% and "I understand better when I read the book in my hand" response rate is 1.2%. In a further finding of the study, the preference reason "I like holding the book in my hands" as expressed by female students is 30.1%. This rate is 14.6% in male students.