Definition of reading: Reading is the process of constructing meaning from written texts. It is a complex skill requiring the coordination of a number of interrelated sources of information (Anderson et al., 1985) Reading is the process of constructing meaning through the dynamic interaction among: (1) the reader's existing knowledge; (2) the information suggested by the text being read; and (3) the context of the reading situation (Wixson, Peters, Weber, & Roeber, 1987, citing the new definition of reading for Michigan). Richard Anderson and the Commission on Reading define reading as the process of constructing meaning from written texts. Skilled reading is: o constructive: learning to reason about written material using knowledge from everyday life and from disciplined fields of study; o fluent: mastery of basic processes to the point where they are automatic so that attention is freed for the analysis of meaning; o strategic: controlling ones reading in relation to ones purpose, the nature of the material and whether one is comprehending; o motivated: able to sustain attention and learning that written material can be interesting and informative; and o a lifelong pursuit: continuous practices, development, and refinement. Sources: http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/res/teach/def.html http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/jblanton/read/readingdef.htm
Aims of reading: Having successfully adopted the innovative curriculum of Integrated Humanities using project assessment and English across the Curriculum in junior forms for the past two years, our school now heads on to promoting reading culture in the nation. As ensuring quality education has always been our prime aim, curriculum development and reform must be ongoing, so that we can face the challenges of the 21st century, through learning to read and reading to learn to best equip ourselves to smoothly cross the millennial threshold. To promote a reading culture in the school so as to enhance the students' language proficiency and learning capacity. Source: http://www.spcs.edu.hk/programs/readingculture/Aims.htm
Purposes of reading:
Source: https://nationalvetcontent.edu.au/alfresco/d/d/workspace/SpacesStore/158 363d3-4510-4659-ad4b-211d473be707/14_03/content/is/read/learn_3.htm http://h27.it.helsinki.fi/erc/reading_theory.html Reading for selected main points Reading for main points in general Critical / evaluative reading (in tensive) Reading for pleasure To obtain informati on To gain knowledg e For instructio ns or direction s To fire the imaginati on To appreciat e the text