The Impact of Digital Literacy on Students’ Reading Comprehension in the 21st Century Classroom

Abstract

In the digital age, reading comprehension involves more than understanding printed text; it requires the ability to navigate, evaluate, and interpret digital content. As digital media becomes increasingly prevalent in education, students must develop digital literacy skills to comprehend online information effectively. However, the impact of digital literacy on reading comprehension remains underexplored in many educational settings. Grounded in new literacies theory and constructivist learning theory, this study investigates the relationship between students’ digital literacy and their reading comprehension performance in digital contexts. Using a mixed-methods design, data were collected from 120 high school students through a digital literacy assessment and a reading comprehension test. The results show a significant positive correlation between digital literacy and reading comprehension, particularly among students who frequently engage with digital texts. These findings suggest that students who possess higher digital literacy are better equipped to understand and analyze digital reading materials. The study highlights the growing importance of digital literacy as an essential component of reading comprehension in the 21st-century classroom. It implies that reading instruction should not only focus on traditional skills but also incorporate digital strategies to enhance students' academic outcomes and real-world literacy preparedness.