Out of the 148 students participating in this study, 64 used print dictionaries while 50 used electronic and about
34 used online dictionaries of various types. Table one below shows that about 43% of all students used print
dictionaries, 33% used electronic and 23% used online dictionaries of various types. The large percentage of
print dictionary users obtained might be due to the fact that these are sophomore students who have not been
away from the school system for a long time. The reading course is the first course in which they experience
extensive amounts of required readings from both online and print sources. It is also the first course in which
they are exposed to authentic reading texts that contain less frequent vocabulary items that call for the use of an
unabridged dictionary. Table one below also shows that the highest reading proficiency average (M=.66) is
possessed by the students who use Online dictionaries. As for print dictionary users, they showed the lowest
reading proficiency (M=.39). This may be explained by the fact that most print dictionaries available for students
are of the abridged type that contains a smaller number of vocabulary items in addition to shorter and more
simplified definitions. Online dictionaries, on the other hand, contain more authentic entries that use lessfrequent vocabulary items and more complex grammar. This may be contrasted with the results of previous
research which have found that students generally have a positive attitude towards electronic dictionaries and
that they find them convenient and useful (Boomnoh, 2003; Chatzidimou, 2007; Golonka et al., 2012; Nesi,
2002).