Interactivity: Benefits of Highlighting Text

 Interactivity: Benefits of Highlighting Text

Highlighting is a great strategy for reading and retaining information from a text.  Whether a student highlights specific text on his own or uses a highlighting tool on the computer, highlighting proves effective for reading comprehension and retaining information.  In a study on highlighting from digital interfaces and eye-tracking, authors Ed Chi, Michelle Gumbrecht, and Lichan Hong of the chapter Visual Foraging of Highlighted Text: An Eye-Tracking Study found that “Readers’ attention is directed to highlighted areas, regardless of their appropriateness to the task.” (Chi, Gumbrecht, & Hong, 2007)

Highlighting can be used by students digitally, with a highlighter or marker, or clear tape.  Students can also use different colors to categorize information so that it is easy to remember.  In my 2^nd grade classroom, I typically use several different highlighting techniques so that my students can retain information better.  One technique that I like to use is to present the lesson’s information on a word document and followed by projecting it on the screen; I then use different highlight colors on Microsoft Word to show students specific parts of the text.  This technique allows for interactivity because students can then take turns highlighting details on the screen by using a mouse controlled from their desk.  Another technique for highlighting I use is not computer-interface interactive but it is a great strategy for younger readers to find and locate information.  This technique involves using colored lens filters to locate information in the text.  I like this because it not only gives students visuals but also a “hands-on” feel. 

Chi, E., Gumbrecht, M., & Hong, L. (2007). Visual Foraging of Highlighted Text: An Eye-Tracking Study. In J. Jacko, Human-Computer Interaction. HCI Intelligent Multimodal Interaction Environments (pp. 589-598). Beijing .