The document discusses research and writing in the digital age. It notes that while the internet makes research easier through greater access to information, it also poses challenges like information overload and requiring more sophisticated research skills to evaluate sources. Students most commonly use search engines like Google and Wikipedia for research, along with peers and social media, though teachers believe traditional sources remain important. Overall, the document examines how digital technologies are changing research behaviors but also presents opportunities to teach vital digital literacy skills.

1. Reading, writing, and
research in the digital age
Kathryn Zickuhr
Research Associate
November 4, 2013
edUi 2013
@kzickuhr | @pewinternet | @pewresearch

2. About the Pew Research Center
• Non-partisan “fact tank” in Washington, DC,
made up of seven projects
• Does not promote specific technologies or make
policy recommendations
More: pewresearch.org
@pewresearch
@pewinternet
November 4, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
2

3. The Internet: A brief history
November 4, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
3

4. Internet use over time
% of adults ages 18+ who go online, 1995-present
85%
(2013)
90%
80%
70%
50%
60%
(2000)
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
14%
(1995)
0%
November 4, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
4

5. 72% of online adults (and 80% of
online teens) use social network sites
100%
80%
80
87
68
60%
49
40%
29
20%
0%
12-17
November 4, 2013
18-29
30-49
www.pewinternet.org
50-64
65+
5

6. The rise of mobile
Cell phones:
• 91% of adults (78% of teens)
Smartphones:
• 56% of adults (37% of teens)
Tablets:
• 34% of adults (23% of teens)
November 4, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
6

7. Mobile is the needle; social is the thread
How information is woven into our lives
Mobile technology…
Social network sites…
Always with us
Surround us with information through
our many connections
Makes information accessible
anytime and anywhere
Connect us to strong & weak ties
Puts information & connections at
our fingertips
Provide instant feedback, meaning, and
context
Magnifies the demand for timely
information (on-demand)
Makes information locationsensitive
November 4, 2013
Allow us to shape and create
information ourselves and amplify
others’ messages
www.pewinternet.org
7

8. How Americans find and
share news and information
in the digital age
November 4, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
8

9. Digital grows as a source for news
% of respondents who got news “yesterday” from each platform
80%
70%
60%
TV
Radio
Newspaper
Online
Any Digital News
50%
40%
30%
20%
50% say
internet is a
main source
for news
10%
0%
1991
November 4, 2013
1994
1997
2000
2003
2006
State of the News Media 2013
2009
2012
stateofthemedia.org
9

10. News and information
50% of American adults cite the internet as a main
source for national and international news
• 71% of adults under 30 say the internet is a
main news source (vs 55% who cite television)
23% of adults get news on at least two mobile devices
• Info-snacking and just-in-time information
Social media, while an increasing part of the digital news
experience, is not often a main source of news (though it’s
more of a source if you’re mobile)
November 4, 2013
pewinternet.org / journalism.org
10

11. News and information
More: stateofthemedia.org
November 4, 2013
pewinternet.org / journalism.org
11

12. “Does anyone still read books?”

13. Book reading by age group
Among readers, the % in each age group who read a book in print or an e-book
in the past year (2012)
Print
E-books
100%
94%
91%
80%
91%
90%
85%
60%
40%
41%
28%
20%
31%
23%
20%
0%
16-17
November 4, 2013
18-29
30-49
libraries.pewinternet.org
50-64
65+
13

14. Which is better for these purposes, a
printed book or an e-book?
Among those 16+ who read both a print book & an e-book in the past year (2011)
Print
E-books
100%
80%
83%
81%
73%
69%
60%
53%
40%
43% 45%
35%
20%
25%
19%
9%
0%
Reading with Sharing with
a child
others
November 4, 2013
Reading in
bed
Having a
wide
selection
libraries.pewinternet.org
Reading
while
traveling
13%
Get books
quickly
14

15. E-books beyond e-readers
Among people who read e-books, the % in each age group who read their e-books on
the following devices (2011)
16-29
30+
60%
55%
50%
40%
46%
41%
38%
30%
25%
20%
26%
23%
16%
10%
0%
Cell phone
November 4, 2013
Desktop or laptop
E-reader
libraries.pewinternet.org
Tablet
15

16. What do these changes mean
for educational and cultural
institutions?
November 4, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
16

17. How Americans use libraries
56% of Americans 16+ used a library in the past year
• 53% visited in person
• 25% used website
Books, browsing, librarians are still central, both in how
people use libraries and in their conception of libraries
…but technology is also a common use and a high priority
More: libraries.pewinternet.org
November 4, 2013
libraries.pewinternet.org
17

18. Public priorities for libraries
Very important
Somewhat important
Librarians to help find info
80
16
Borrowing books
80
15
Free access to computers/internet
77
18
Quiet study spaces
76
19
Programs & classes for children, teens
74
21
Research resources like databases
73
20
67
Job/career resources
63
Free events/activities
30
49
Free public meeting spaces
0
November 4, 2013
22
20
libraries.pewinternet.org
36
40
60
80
100
18

19. Should libraries…
Should definitely do
Should maybe do
Should definitely not do
85
Coordinate more with schools
11 2
82
Free literacy programs
Separate spaces for different services
61
Have more comfortable spaces
14 3
27
59
28
53
Offer more e-books
36
20
Move stacks out of public locations
0
14
34
41
Make MOST services automated
12
39
42
Move MOST library services online
5
38
43
Help users digitize own materials
9
30
47
More interactive learning experiences
9
39
20
40
19
20
36
60
80
100

20. How likely would you be to use…
Very likely
Somewhat likely
"Ask a librarian" online service
Not too likely or not at all likely
37
36
26
Library app
35
Tech try-out program
35
Cell GPS app
34
28
36
Library kiosks in community
33
30
35
Personalized accounts
35
34
29
Classes on borrowing e-books
28
28
29
35
34
29
41
Pre-loaded e-readers
26
32
39
Digital media lab
26
32
40
Classes on e-readers
23
0
28
20
40
48
60
80
100

21. Among the 25% of Americans who used a
library website in the past year:
•
82% searched the library catalog for a book, DVD, CD
•
72% got basic library info (hours, location, etc.)
•
62% reserved a book, DVD, CD (and 51% renewed)
•
51% used an online database.
•
48% looked for info about library programs & events.
•
30% read book reviews / got book recommendations.
•
30% checked whether they owed fines / paid fines online.
•
27% signed up for library programs & events.
•
22% borrowed or downloaded an e-book.
•
6% reserved a meeting room.
November 4, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
21

22. Research and writing in the digital age
The good, bad, and Google
“The internet makes doing research easier—easier to
do well and easier to do poorly.”
• Difficulties switching between informal and formal tone
• . . . but also more opportunities for students to write, particularly for
an audience
• More information can be very useful (but also overwhelming)
• Requires more sophisticated research skills from students to refine
and sift through search results
• Who can/should teach digital research skills? And how?
November 4, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
22

23. So how do students conduct
research in the age of Google
and Wikipedia?
November 4, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
23

24. The sources students are “very likely” to use in a
typical research assignment*:
• Google / search engine (94%)
• Wikipedia (75%)
• YouTube / social media (52%)
• Their peers (42%)
• Spark Notes, Cliff Notes (41%)
• News sites of major news organizations (25%)
• Print or electronic textbooks (18%)
• Online databases such as EBSCO, JSTOR (17%)
• A research librarian at school or public library (16%)
• Printed books other than textbooks (12%)
• Student-oriented search engines like Sweet Search (10%)
* According to middle and high school AP & NWP teachers

25. Now what?
Fewer traditional touchpoints
• E-books and online services
• Search engines for “short answer” questions (LMGTFY)
• Awareness of services
November 4, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
25

26. Opportunity
exists between
keyboard and chair
November 4, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
26

27. Now what?
Fewer traditional touchpoints
• E-books and online services
• Search engines for “short answer” questions (LMGTFY)
• Awareness of services
Convenience and connection
• Social media, email, apps, websites
• Personalized services, recommendations
• “Digital literacy” beyond the classroom
November 4, 2013
www.pewinternet.org
27

28. Thank you!
Kathryn Zickuhr
Pew Research Center
Research Associate
pewresearch.org
pewresearch.org/internet
kzickuhr@pewresearch.org
November 4, 2013
edUi 2013
@kzickuhr | @pewinternet | @pewresearch