So, college reading is tougher than you thought?

David C. Caverly, Ph.D. Southwest Texas State University

Keynote address KADE Annual Conference, Morehead, KY, October 19, 2001

Current Research on Reading

Principles of the reading process

1. Prior knowledge affects understanding
2. Word recognition is necessary but not sufficient
3. Knowledge of how to develop vocabulary is necessary
4. Motivation to succeed comes from a learning orientation, choice, authentic materials and tasks, and an interested
faculty member
5. Reading must be adjusted for narrative vs. expository, considerate vs. inconsiderate text, single text vs. 6. multiple
texts, simple task demands vs. ill-structured task demands
6. Reading is as much a strategic process as a comprehending process
7. Metacognitive knowledge of the reading process is as important to develop as declarative knowledge, conditional
knowledge, procedural knowledge, and conative knowledge

Tenets of sound reading instruction

A. Use authentic assessment of these 7 principles
B. Develop metacognitive performance, task, and strategy awareness, knowledge, and control
C. Teach research based tactics to be applied strategically
D. Use Direct Instruction for teaching of tactics and strategies
E. Require journaling to document learning
F. Supplement with technology

References

• KADE Keynote (http://www.ci.txstate.edu/Presentations/KADE/KADE.ppt)
  
• Caverly, D.C. (2001) Back to the future: Preparing students to use technology in higher education. The Learning Assistance Review, 6(1), 51-59. Retrieved October 18, 2001 from the WWW: http://www.ci.txstate.edu/publications/BackToTheFuture.htm
  
• Caverly, D.C., & Peterson, C.L. (2000). Technology in developmental education. In R.F. Flippo & D.C. Caverly (Eds.) Handbook of College Reading and Study Strategies Research (p. 291-320). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Retrieved Februrary 17, 2007 from, http://www.erlbaum.com/ME2/Default.asp
  
• TIDE (Techology Institute for Developmental Educators): (http://www.ci.txstate.edu/TIDE/TIDEhome.htm)
  
• Technology Tutorials - Here is a nice collection of online tutorials for technology. (http://www.ci.txstate.edu/Common/technologytutorials.html)
  
• Sample websites demonstrating concept of Tutor, Tool, and Tutee. (http://www.ci.txstate.edu/Common/TTTSamples.html)