Reading - A foundation for learning

Reading and listening are the basic communication skills needed to receive information just as writing and speaking (articulation) are the basic communication skills to share information with others. There seems to be less concern about reading and listening skills at tertiary level, although these are equally important if not more so than writing and articulation. Reading is very important in the context of teaching and learning, as receiving information is basic to any learning activity. Consideration needs to be given to the existence of different reading styles and to the assumption that students entering university are sufficiently skilled in reading. Teachers may need to guide students in the use of reading skills for efficient learning. The most common methods used in teaching and learning are lectures and tutorials. These have to be strongly complemented by self-directed study and reading by the students. A major focus of lectures is to create interest in the subject and motivate students to seek more information through reading. Similarly, a major thrust of tutorials is to refine understanding of what has been learnt, often through reading. Thus, reading is one of the foundations of learning.

Literature on reading describes different styles of reading and information processing. The most common descriptions are skimming, scanning, and critical reading. Skimming is drawing out the main ideas by reading important portions of the text and leaving the rest, just as we normally read a newspaper. Scanning is looking at the material to search for key words or ideas, just as we find the meaning of a word in the dictionary. Critical reading is a deeper processing of material. An efficient use of time and energy calls for deploying all styles of reading for different purposes. Reading newspapers, magazines, junk mail, technical information, textbooks and subject articles, each requires a different reading style and strategy. Sharpening reading habits and skills has a great influence on the abilities to review and recall material. A smart student ought to use this valuable tool to maximum advantage.