‍

Today’s digital learners have grown up in a hyper-connected world, where they are used to having access to almost unlimited information. As a result, they are also much more demanding when it comes to the things they read and the ways in which they read them. These digitally literate young adults now expect their learning experiences to be interactive, relevant, and engaging – not something that feels like a chore or an old-fashioned lecture. As a result of this changing dynamic, many literacy programs need to adapt their approach if they want to keep appealing to tomorrow’s workforce. A study by SEND in 2016 found that 42% of high school graduates lack basic reading skills. In response, many adult education programs have introduced computer-assisted reading programs and other digital solutions for reading improvement. Unfortunately, these technological solutions don’t always provide the answer. Today’s students want more choice in how and what they read; not just from an academic standpoint but from an emotional one as well. Here are some reasons why that is important:

 

This post may contain affiliate links for full disclosure click here 

Reading is an activity that requires a great deal of personal investment. Readers have to make time to read, find the right book, and then commit to reading it at a pace that is comfortable for them. In addition to all of this, they have to be ready to discuss the content and put it into perspective based on their own experiences and beliefs. When students have to read books that they aren’t interested in or aren’t relevant to their life, they will have a much harder time getting through them. Moreover, they may end up resenting the material and view the reading experience as something that is purely academic. This can make it much harder for them to retain the information and apply it to their own lives.

 

The best way for students to start becoming truly invested in a book is to choose one that they are genuinely excited about. From the very first page, students will be more likely to immerse themselves in the world of the story and finish the book. This can be particularly useful for reluctant readers or those who just need a little extra motivation to get through their reading. Having a variety of reading options also plays a big role in making reading fun. There are so many genres and styles of writing out there that there should be something for everyone. For example, reading a non-fiction or self-help book can engage readers who might shy away from a more traditional novel.

 

Reading is an activity that requires readers to engage with the material on a critical level. To fully get what the book is trying to convey, readers need to think critically about the characters and their motivations, the setting, and any other details that the writer includes. Although this is true of every read, certain books will naturally lend themselves to critical thinking more than others. Non-fiction is a great example of this because it allows students to draw connections to topics that are important to them. This can be particularly helpful for young readers who may not have enough life experience to apply what they read to their own lives.

 

It also allows them to think of books and their genres. It will allow them to think of the genres that they like and make informed decisions about if they will like a book or not. They will gain insight on what they like and may even realize that just because a lot of people like a certain book does not mean that they will like it.

 

Reading is a great way to engage students on a critical level and show them that their opinion matters. There are many books out there that deal with important topics, covering everything from civil rights to gender equality. Engaging with books like these allows students to explore subjects that they might not have considered otherwise. This can lead to more informed young adults who are better able to communicate their points of view with others.

 

It also lets them know that it matters that they like a book. They can share their love of that book with others and other people may really end up loving the book as well and that matters. They could have helped someone find their new favorite book and love reading.

 

Reading is a skill that takes time to develop. As a result, students may feel discouraged if they aren’t making progress as quickly as they would like. The good news is that reading can be broken down into a series of achievable goals. By setting targets for the number of pages students should read each day (or week), reading becomes something that they can work towards and gain momentum from. This can be particularly helpful for students who are reading below grade level or who have other obstacles getting in the way of their progress.

 

Likewise, if they are not at a certain reading level yet to be able to understand a book they really want to read they may read other books to prepare them for that book and they can work towards understanding it and that is a great thing.

 

Reading is a skill that can be applied in almost every aspect of life. This makes it a very important skill to develop early and keep up throughout life. Reading is a great way to learn about new topics and expand your knowledge. Reading can also be great for your vocabulary and can help you become a better writer. However, reading isn’t just fun, it’s also important. Reading can help you become a better person and can really shape who you are as a person. With reading, you can learn about other cultures, places, and people. You can also learn about history, current events, and much more.

 

If you enjoyed this blog post please consider sharing it so others can benefit as well. Also, if you want to do a whole class reading and want an activity to do with it. Click on the picture below to become a subscriber and get this free reading activity for one of my favorite books The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane.