Absorption in enhanced e-books

Subtitle:empirical studies on the desirability of multimedia hyperlinks in narrative fiction and their relation with reader engagement

In the digital age, reading inevitably evolves as digital screens have become increasingly prevalent alongside print in both educational and leisure reading. At the same time, children’s and adolescents’ reading performance and willingness to engage in reading for pleasure is on the decline, which has raised concerns about the possible impact of digitization on their ability to perform particularly deep and absorbed reading. On the other hand, research has shown that digital technologies can also support and promote reading among specific groups of young readers, and notably a particular type of non-linear digital narratives (i.e. enhanced e-books) could potentially facilitate narrative absorption even better than traditional print. The general aim of this dissertation was to obtain more insight into the potential of enhanced e-books to provide absorbing reading experiences for developing readers, and was translated into three specific research objectives. The first research objective of this dissertation was to obtain an overview of the current state-of-the-art with regard to reading experiences of non-linear digital narratives (NDN). To meet the second research objective, i.e. to empirically study the desirability of hyperlinks to digital enhancements in fictional narratives, empirical study 1 was carried out, in which developing readers and their reading teachers were invited to reflect upon the desirability of hyperlinks to digital enhancements in narrative texts. To meet the third research objective, to empirically study absorbing reading experiences of enhanced e-books in developing readers, the data from empirical study 1 were analysed and implemented in enhanced ebook versions of the full-length novels with a view to verifying their potential for absorbing reading experiences in empirical study 2. In conclusion, the findings of this dissertation have shown that the presence of non-linear elements in digital narratives such as enhanced e-books read on portable screen technologies, do not necessarily interfere with absorption and enjoyable experiences on behalf of readers familiar with the conventions of digital texts and reading technologies. It can be concluded from the results that enhanced e-books can facilitate absorption and positive evaluations of the reading experience in developing readers, similar to print and linear e-books, if a series of conditions are met: a clear storyline, plot and character development, narrative closure, adherence to conventions of digital texts, limited degrees of non-linearity, and the use of digital enhancements within the framework of the novel, and in function of the story and comprehension. Implications for educational stakeholders, authors and publishing companies are discussed in light of reading promotion and support for developing readers in the digital age.

Publication year:2022

Keywords:Doctoral thesis

Accessibility:Open