As we become more familiar with technology, there is the urge to move everything to some digital format. Training of employees is one of those areas that is being pushed
into the digital arena.

But do people learn better in a digital format compared to the “old-fashioned” printed page?

Researchers Patricia Alexander and Laure Singer answer this question in a research project that they completed.

The students involved in this research said that they preferred learning in a digital format and were able to read faster. The students also stated that their reading comprehension was higher in a digital format.

To test student beliefs, the researchers had the students read 4 documents: 2 digital and 2 in print format. The researchers then asked a series of questions about the
documents.

The results showed that comprehension was better with the printed material than with the digital documents.

The implication of this study is that if employees only need a general understanding of a topic, then a digital format is certainly appropriate. However if employees are expected to have a deep understanding of a subject, then printed material is the better choice.