Tag: reading comprehension

Learn to read

Learning to read remains crucial in the era of AI for several reasons:

UnjumbleMyWords

1. Information Access

Reading is the primary medium for accessing vast amounts of information. While AI can assist in organizing and presenting information, the ability to read allows individuals to critically evaluate and interpret the content. Reading provides access to a wide range of sources, including books, and documents, enabling individuals to deepen their knowledge and make informed decisions.

2. Digital Literacy

AI technologies and AI are all around us, especially on the internet (and are becoming increasingly pervasive in our daily lives.) To navigate this digital landscape effectively, you need to be digitally literate. If you can read, you can understand what you see on websites, social media, and search engines. which includes the ability to read and understand digital content. By developing reading skills, individuals can comprehend and evaluate the information presented through AI-powered platforms.  It helps you know what’s real and what’s not, such as search engines, social media, and news aggregators.

3. Critical Thinking

 In the age of AI, where algorithms assists in personalizing content, it is essential to approach information with a critical mindset Reading enabling individuals to analyze, question, and interpret information. AI can show you things it thinks you’ll like, but reading lets you question and decide for yourself. It’s important to be careful and think for yourself.

4. Language Comprehension and Expression

Reading enhances language skills, including vocabulary and grammar. Proficient reading abilities are foundational for effective communication, both written and oral. While AI can generate text, it is essential for humans to understand and express ideas fluently and coherently, as well as adapt their language to different contexts. Reading broadens vocabulary, enhances language comprehension, and improves writing skills

6. Creativity and Imagination

Reading stimulates creativity and imagination, fostering the development of unique perspectives and ideas. While AI can generate creative content, it often relies on pre-existing data and patterns, but reading helps you come up with your own ideas. Reading fosters originality, empathy, and the ability to think outside the box. These qualities are invaluable in fields that require innovation, such as art, literature, science, and entrepreneurship.

7. Empowerment and Personal Growth

Reading promotes personal growth by expanding knowledge, broadening perspectives, and facilitating personal reflection. It empowers individuals to explore different cultures, historical periods, and intellectual ideas. Reading also enhances empathy by enabling readers to understand different viewpoints and experiences. It’s important for getting along with others and understanding the world.

In conclusion

While AI can add to various aspects of information processing and content generation, the ability to read remains vital. Reading equips individuals with critical thinking skills, language proficiency, creativity, and personal growth, allowing them to navigate the world of AI effectively, make informed decisions, and contribute meaningfully to society. So, even if reading is difficult, remember that it’s still really important. It helps you learn, understand, think, communicate, be creative, and grow as a person.

Literacy, Read for meaning, Reading Comprehension

What is reading for meaning?

UnjumbleMyWords

The term “reading for meaning” has come into the spotlight once again. The 2021 Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study (PIRLS)  recently announced that 81% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read for meaning. The PIRLS study assesses reading comprehension and monitors trends and indicators of growth in the reading literacy of participating countries at five-year intervals.

Misconceptions

There is a misconception that children who cannot read for meaning are unable to read at all. This is not always true. Many children are able to read mechanically and to go through the motions of decoding. However, their reading has not progressed beyond this point. This means that although they can read they cannot access the authors intended meaning. This means that despite being able to read they do not do well in comprehension tests. Being able to read and decode simple words is not enough.

Reading comprehension

Reading comprehension is the understanding that we draw from written text. This can be at a literal level as well as an inferential level. It is not just about decoding and correctly pronouncing read words accurately. It is about being able to link information within the text and being able to access the deeper meaning of words within the context of a sentence or paragraph. It is about understanding the subtleties of what the author is trying to convey to us. It refers to our ability to link information, infer things and predict what will happen next, based on what is known and has already been read. 

Comprehension skills continue to grow and develop throughout our lives as we are exposed to information across a variety of topics, in both verbal and written form. The conversations we have within our families, within our communities and the quality of the information we are exposed to through news channels, social media platforms and the groups that we belong to will have an impact on our ability to comprehend the world around us and the challenges it presents to us. Every bit of knowledge we have of words and facts enables us to understand something else a bit more complex. Without the foundation knowledge we are cut off from understanding the next layer of complex information. We can therefore see comprehension as the continual process of adding building blocks to our knowledge and understanding throughout our lives.

Foundation of other learning

Reading comprehension is the foundation of all other learning at school level. Help2Read says that “reading for meaning gives letters and words purpose, unlocking a world of learning” for the reader. If most learners are unable to do so, then as they move up the grades they are limited in the amount of learning that they can access.

Plans for change and improvement

A new report from the 2030 Reading Panel has found that basic literacy among children in South Africa has declined. Fewer primary school children can read for meaning now than before the Covid pandemic, and most children entering Grade 2 do not know their alphabet names or sounds. But despite us being in the midst of a literacy crisis, there is no set out national reading plan, no proper budget, no proper acknowledgement, no accurate reporting, no accountability and no progress on implementing vital interventions. The report finds that these children, who do not know the alphabet by the end of Grade 2, are “perpetually behind and in ‘catch-up’ mode, although they never actually catch up”. https://mybroadband.co.za/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-reading-panel-background-report-7-feb-2023.pdf

The ability to read for meaning is the gateway to other types of learning. Children who are unable to comprehend written text are shut out of aspects of basic education, further education and later on employment opportunities. As an example, in South Africa, employers have been known to point out that potential matriculated job applicants are unable to fully comprehend safety instructions presented in written form. This makes them unemployable in a particular work setting.

To explore the possibility of face-to-face Reading Therapy with Cheryl  Cupido in Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth (Walmer Heights /Lorraine/ Sunridge), contact her for a free consultation to discuss how she can assist you.