Distractions and Digital Reading Comprehension: a Systematic Review
Abstract
Digital reading is a complex and multifactorial task. Different factors may moderate how a digital environment affects reading comprehension. Reading attention might be disturbed due to a distractor. The effect on reading comprehension depends on the cognitive processes involved. People tend to multitask which carries a cost that affects the primary task. This research reviews previous studies aimed at different kinds of distractions while reading, and their effect on reading comprehension. Furthermore, moderators of feasible negative effects have been analysed. Firstly, 278 registers where found although just 12 where included in the final revision after using eligibility criteria and quality evaluation. The results show that using a digital environment leads to deal with visual distractions, multitasking and interactive functions. Their effect on reading time and reading comprehension is heterogeneous. Nevertheless, greater cognitive load conditions reading performance. On the other hand, moderatos such as interest or rereading help to mitigate the negative effect. Using successfully digital environments to learn implies not only knowing about possible problems but also creating an environment that mitigates any adverse effect.
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