STUDENTS’ PREFERENCES IN READING ENGLISH DIGITAL MATERIALS VS PRINTED MATERIALS AT SMAN 1 HARAU

This research aimed at exploring the preferences of Senior High School students for reading English materials on digital digitals and printed materials. This qualitative reasearch method was conducted at State Senior High School 1 Harau, involving in-depth interviews with five students to understand their reading habits, media choices, and the reasons behind these preferences. The research findings showed that although all students had experience reading using both media, the majority preferred printed materials because they were perceived as improving focus, reducing distractions, and facilitating comprehension. Printed media were also perceived as more comfortable, less likely to cause eye strain, and allowing students to take notes or mark material directly. Only one participant expressed a consistent preference for digital media with the reasons of practicality, flexibility, and ease of access to translations and various online content. This research also revealed various challenges faced with each medium, such as technical issues with digital devices and limited availability of printed materials. These findings emphasized the importance of providing both types of media in the learning environment to suit student needs and learning styles.