UCF Literacy Symposium

2026 Literacy Symposium

Harnessing Print and Digital Reading to Ignite PK-12 Students’ Literacy Growth!

Educators, parents, and health professionals worldwide are raising concerns about PK-12 students’ declining engagement with reading and shifting literacy practices in an increasingly digital age. As screens dominate children’s and adolescents’ learning and leisure, the enduring value of print books — essential for focus, comprehension, and deep thinking — cannot be overlooked.

Print books offer far more than stories — they cultivate focus, deeper engagement with text, and imagination while providing a welcome break from digital overload. They create meaningful emotional connections and lay the foundation for lifelong reading habits, and the tactile experience of turning pages enhances memory retention and deep understanding. In a screen-dominated world, preserving print reading is vital for nurturing well-rounded, thoughtful, resilient learners who can think critically and engage with complex ideas.

Students today are increasingly reading digital texts as schools embrace digital curricula, libraries, and assessments for their affordability, convenience, and adaptability. Beyond these practical advantages, digital reading expands access to diverse, multimodal texts and engages students through interactive features such as embedded quizzes and gamified activities. These adaptive tools support personalized learning with adjustable settings and immediate feedback, helping students develop digital literacy skills that are essential for success in our technology-driven world.

In 2026, we will spark meaningful conversations through webinars and newsletters on blending print and digital reading to strengthen student literacy. Here are key questions we will address — we invite you to join the conversation!

1. How do print and digital texts differ in their impact on reading processes and outcomes?
2. Why does reading print books remain essential for students’ deep engagement, focus, comprehension, and critical thinking?
3. How can educators leverage both technology and print reading to foster deep thinking and nurture resilient learners in a digital age?
4. What digital tools — such as e-books, interactive platforms, multimodal texts — support deeper student engagement
5. What professional learning opportunities empower teachers to effectively integrate print and digital reading in their classrooms?
6. How can partnerships among teachers, literacy coaches, and media specialists strengthen instructional practices for blending print and digital reading?