Reading online text Vs. Reading printed text

[M. SESHAGIRI]

Reading online text Vs. Reading printed text
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Which you prefer personally most ? Reading online (on TV or computer screen) or reading printed text? Reading printed text has its advantages such as printed pages can be carried to anywhere, can annoted with notes, give less strain to the eyes. Reading online text has its own advantages that it can be repeated number of times (advantageous if combined with animation and voice narration) and can be combined with online testing.
To take up an online course, one has to do online reading; so how effective and convenient it is to general readers? This question may be old to many people. But I would to know to re-assert my assumtipns. Please share your ideas.

[Tina Bulleigh]

I would say that I love the ability to file and store online documents. If it is a short quibbit of information than I would rather read it online. If it is very lengthy more than 5 pages, I would have to print the material out. The od thing for me is (and maybe it is because I am in transition as a digital immigrant) but, I love composing online, yet still feel the need to print off to do a serious edit (after using the online spell and grammer checker of course!).

[Jennifer Francis]

I'd have to agree with Tina. I love the ability to store and search online documents. The use of Edit-Find is great when I need to skim a document to find information. However, I still love print texts for many reasons - less eye strain, beautiful color saturation in photos, portability, and often the quality of the information is better for some subjects. I think both types of texts are useful depending on the situation and the information need.

[OCarbo]

Most of the time I choose hardcopies but at times I may read online or downloaded and convert to Word at which I can edit font size or highlight/underline things I want to get to quickly. My students mostly like to read online especially those Japanese Manga Comics at which they run to do when they have free learning time.

[Alicia]

To be honest, I would rather read printed text just because I am one that likes to have a hard copy. I like to highlight key points from my reading and make notes. I am currently pursuing my Master's degree online so this does require me to read majority of my information online. It's easier for me at times just because I can bookmark my articles and come back to them later. I'm getting adjusted to reading text online and it's not so bad though.

[Lynnah P. Welch]

Call me old fashioned but I still prefer reading printed text. I find great comfort curling up with a comfortable book in my hand. Call me crazy but I still also like holding and reading a newspaper. I guess I am showing my age with these comments, Don't get me wrong I do love all the things my computer can do, I can read most any newspaper I want to without going out and buying one and ending up with ink on all my fingers. I can save things to read again if I wish. I may even buy myself one of those things Amazon.com sells so you can read books electronically but I don't think it will replace the way a book feels in your hands. Since I do alot of classwork online and I spend alot of time reading on my computer I admit it is more a way of life for me now and it is very convenient.

[S.Desmond]

For leisure reading I prefer printed text. I also find it useful for studying purposes to be able to refer to printed text. For referencing purposes I find it easier to use a text book to viewing online material. However for researching purposes I would much rather read information on line, as so much more information is readily available in this form.

[Lorraine]

I love to read online, but I like to print it out and highlight and all that good stuff. smile!!!

[Ben Smith]

Go green, read online!

[Chris]

I would have to say that it depends on the type of reading that I am doing because sometimes I would rather have printed text while other times I prefer to read online text. Usually I prefer to read printed texts for pleasure, and when I am reading for continuing education I prefer to read online materials. I also prefer to read things like the newspaper online, so it really does depend on the type of reading that I will do in order to decide if I enjoy reading online. Also reading online allows for a lot more variety and levels of reading at no cost, and reading printed materials you usually can not read for free.