Prominent+Voices+-+How+do+virtual+libraries+support+student+learning?

 Digital library materials (eBooks, databases) are becoming increasingly popular in school libraries. Virtual materials allow access regardless of the time of day or school calendar. The body of research is growing. Recent research by these authors help address two important questions -

How do virtual libraries support student learning? Do they support student learning in different ways than print libraries?
This study investigated whether ebooks had a positive correlation with student reading motivation. Results suggest that online reading supports early readers with issues with reading, motivation, or behavior.
 * Ciampa, K. (2012). Reading in the digital age: Using electronic books as a teaching tool for beginning readers. //Canadian Journal of Learning// ****//and Technology, 38//(2)**

**Guernsey, L. (2011). Are ebooks any good? //School Library Journal, 57//(6), 28-32.** This article is describes a small study undertaken by a reading specialist, who found that students who used TumbleBooks with a teacher gained fluency in their reading over the control group. Other perspectives in the article question the literary merit of the electronic content that has recently flooded the market.

Using a specially designed electronic book learning system (ELS), the researchers evaluated the learning effect of the system on elementary school students. No significant difference was found between students using print materials vs electronic books, but the system allows for teacher tracking of student reading, and could be used to give students a personalized learning experience.
 * Huang, Y., Liang, T., Su, Y., & Chen, N. (2012). Empowering personalized learning with an interactive E-book learning system for elementary ** **school students. //Educational Technology Research and Development, 60//(4), 703-722.**

This study found that among 22 third graders, students were not influenced as much by the format of the books they read (print vs digital) as they were by their engagement with the setting, characters, and theme of the book. Students did express a preference for the reading enhancements e-readers and e-books offer.
 * Jones, T., & Brown, C. (2011). Reading engagement: A comparison between E-books and traditional print books in an elementary classroom. //International Journal of Instruction, 4//(2), 5-22. **

This study used a mobile learning activity to demonstrate the benefit of digital libraries in investigation-based learning activities. The study found that, among sixth grade students, learning attitude and outcome was improved when physical investigation was combined with digital library resources.
 * Ju-Ling, S., Hwang, G., Yu-Chung, C., & Chien-Wen, C. (2011). An investigation-based learning model for using digital libraries to support mobile learning activities. //The Electronic Library, 29//(4), 488-505. **
 *  doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy.libraries.rutgers.edu/10.1108 /02640471111156759 **

**Silverstein, Joanne. (2005). Just curious: Children's use of digital reference for unimposed queries and its importance in informal education. //Library Trends, 54//(2), 228-244.** This study looked at how children use digital reference tools to answer their own questions. Digital reference services were found to support children's interest in science in grades 4 and 5. The study also suggests students should learn how to use digital reference tools in elementary school.