Explorative empirical research on the reading practices using e-book in the primary school in Italy

The new technologies are spreading all over the world even in school contexts. Although youngest students are today are defined as digital natives, it is necessary to identify innovative teaching strategies to ensure them an efficient learning. In this explorative empirical research, developed in two primary schools in Italy, children involved were of an age between ten and eleven, selected in schools beware of teaching innovation. the e-book was introduced for the first time during the research. The tools used for data collection were: reading practice questionnaire, participants’ direct observation, comprehension tests. The results were first evaluated and then deepen in a semi-structured interview with each group. The research examined different elements that affected the efficiency of the e-book reading on tablet. The research highlighted the importance of selecting carefully the e-book in order to be able to evaluate which different aspects can motivate or distract the young readers, influencing their comprehension and reading engagement. The research showed that e-book can contribute better to the teaching qualification and to the improvement of students’ learning process if integrated with the use of paper books.