Effects of Problem-Solving Strategies on Undergraduate Students’ Performance in Reading Online Texts

Abstract

Aim of the Study: Reading online is an interactive process between a reader and the online text. Online reading provides an opportunity for students to improve their problem-solving reading strategies. This study has seen with the improvement of reading practices over the last few years, digital technology has promoted reading and literacy research (Mangen & Weel, 2016). Many students have limited reading experiences and strategies, and therefore struggle to understand the online text. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of problem-solving strategies for undergraduate students on their academic attainments while reading the online material.

Methodology: Sample of study consisted of 60 undergraduate students from a local women’s college. The study used a mix method approach where the data was collected through convenience sampling using questionnaires, to discover the difficulties of students in reading online.

Findings: This study showed that problem-solving strategies enhanced the reading comprehension of the online readers. The students benefitted from using different subcategories of problem-solving reading strategies for improving their reading comprehension.

Conclusion: The results indicated that most of the students were moderate users of reading strategies and preferred using problem solving strategies while reading online. The study recommended teaching problem-solving strategies to encourage students to improve their online reading process.