Celebrating World Book Day

In the UK and beyond, adopting a more inclusive, technology-enabled approach to literacy.

GUEST COLUMN | by Mel Parker

WORLD BOOK DAY

This World Book Day, we got a glimpse into the changing reading habits of young people in the UK. As revealed by the National Literacy Trust, only 35% of 8 to 18-year-olds enjoyed reading in their spare time in 2024. That’s the lowest proportion ever recorded.

‘…only 35% of 8 to 18-year-olds enjoyed reading in their spare time in 2024. That’s the lowest proportion ever recorded.’

Many across society are seeking answers. And technology often gets the blame as a major player in this growing trend, with parents questioning how much it is being used. After all, the rapid rise in children’s access to the internet and technological devices over the past couple of decades appears to correlate closely with falling literacy rates. Screens, gadgets, and social media are all easy targets for those looking to find the cause of the problem.

This narrative misses a fundamental point though. While there are certainly issues with the use of technology, it’s clear that rallying against it would be to fight against a rising, irreversible tide. We should instead reframe our perception of the ‘technology problem’, adopting a new perspective that recognizes the opportunities it provides.

Adopting a technology-inclusive approach to literacy

The decline in reading enjoyment isn’t just a consequence of more attractive distractions provided by technology. Less parent engagement, busier schedules, and the shift toward quicker forms of entertainment have all played a role. But a disconnection between traditional educational approaches and the reality of childhood experiences today – which are drastically different from those of people who grew up in the 70s, 80s, or even 90s- may also be contributing to the issue.

While traditional methods of engaging children’s literacy skills in the past, nominally reading, might have been effective in the past, these methods increasingly fail to capture the interests of those raised on digital media. The games, TV shows, and digital content that children consume today is just far more engaging to them. It’s a fact we can’t escape.

This isn’t to say that these new forms of media don’t pose issues that we should address. We definitely have work to do on that front. But it is to say that we in the education sector should be learning from this trend and seeking ways to exploit these new forms of media to improve children’s education, including their literacy. Today’s technology offers many exciting opportunities for children to learn about the subjects we all care about.

Using technology to enhance education

Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) applications and tools like Minecraft offer good examples of how technology can transform storytelling and spark an interest in reading. With these tools, children can transport themselves directly into the worlds of their favorite books, creating opportunities to engage with texts in interactive, visually stimulating environments. These experiences could rekindle enthusiasm for storytelling among even the most reluctant readers.

‘…technology can transform storytelling and spark an interest in reading. With these tools, children can transport themselves directly into the worlds of their favorite books…’

One area where the benefits are undeniable is in inclusivity, addressing the diverse learning needs of all students, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Traditional approaches can often leave students who face unique challenges such as dyslexia, autism, or attention deficit disorders, behind. For them, digital technology can be transformative.

Text-to-speech software, for example, enables dyslexic students or those with visual impairments to independently access and engage with written content, boosting their confidence and autonomy. Voice recognition tools can also significantly aid students with writing difficulties, converting their spoken words directly into text. This technology empowers students who may struggle with traditional writing tasks, enabling them to express their thoughts clearly and fluently without the barrier of manual transcription.

Simple tools, like being able to change the colour of a page, use line focus, or adjust text spacing, can make a big difference too. These small changes can help students with visual sensitivities by cutting down on distractions and helping them stay focused.

AI-powered platforms can also offer highly personalised learning experiences tailored precisely to each student’s unique learning style, pace, and abilities. For students with ADHD, autism, or other cognitive differences, they can identify individual strengths and areas needing additional support, providing adaptive challenges that encourage continuous engagement rather than frustration. Digital tools not only improve literacy outcomes in this way, but also significantly enhance students’ enjoyment and motivation to learn.

Additionally, AI tools can help engage students even more by allowing them to choose characters, plot development, and other elements in their learning, making the experience feel more interactive and exciting. This personalization keeps students invested in the process, making learning feel more relevant and enjoyable.

Expanding our understanding of literacy

The problem isn’t technology itself, but rather the way that we use it. When digital tools are misapplied or misunderstood, they risk superficial engagement rather than deep learning. But through thoughtful integration, we can make skills in literacy relevant and exciting to today’s students.

To do this, we should adopt a broader perspective on what constitutes literacy in our increasingly digital world. Young people today engage extensively with digital texts, from social media posts and blogs to interactive gaming narratives. Improved support for teachers to understand the capability of tools they already have in the classroom to realise their potential as genuine tools to improving literacy. The alternative is a continuing decline in literacy rates.

As we celebrate World Book Day, we embrace technology not as the enemy, but as an essential ally. By merging the best classroom practices with innovative tools, we can revitalize this aspect of children’s education. Technology, used correctly, can enhance their passion for reading to create a multi-literate generation ready to thrive in a digital future.

—

Mel Parker is an Educational Technologist at RM Technology . Connect with Mel on LinkedIn.

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading…

Related