Digital Reading Materials and Malay Essay Writing: A Quantitative Study of Student Perceptions in Malaysian Secondary Schools

The digital transformation of education has significantly altered traditional pedagogical landscapes, particularly in enhancing writing skills among secondary school students. This study aims to examine the patterns of digital reading material (DRM) usage and students’ perceptions of its effectiveness in writing Malay Language essays. Employing a quantitative survey design, a total of 150 Form Three students from several secondary schools in Kota Bharu, Kelantan were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire distributed online and analysed using SPSS Version 29.0, involving descriptive statistics and interpretation of mean scores (IMS). The instrument demonstrated high reliability with a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.873. The findings revealed that most students used DRM frequently (overall mean = 4.05) and held very positive perceptions of its effectiveness in supporting essay writing (overall mean = 4.52). The most used DRM types were online journals, educational blogs, and digital i-Think maps. The study concludes that DRM is not merely a supplementary tool but a catalyst for developing more reflective, structured, and creative writing practices. The study recommends the systematic integration of DRM into the Malay Language curriculum and the implementation of inclusive, student-friendly digital literacy interventions to support dynamic and equitable learning environments.