Deep Reading: Peter Gerjets in conversation on WDR 5 Quarks

Digital distractions, fleeting scrolling, divided attention – how do these factors affect our ability to truly comprehend complex texts? In the WDR 5 programme “Quarks – Science and More”, Prof. Dr Peter Gerjets, head of the Multimodal Interaction lab at the IWM, talks about the importance of so-called deep reading. He explains why deep reading is cognitively demanding – and why this effort is crucial for lasting understanding, critical thinking, and meaningful learning. Gerjets warns that many digital reading habits – such as rapid scanning or multitasking while reading – can undermine exactly these processes. A central message of the conversation: not all reading is the same. Those who merely skim content are unlikely to grasp complex relationships. Deep reading, by contrast, involves actively engaging with and questioning information, integrating it into existing knowledge – a process particularly vital in educational contexts.