Deep-Level Comprehension of Science Texts: The Role of the Reader and the Text
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| Title: | Deep-Level Comprehension of Science Texts: The Role of the Reader and the Text |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Best, Rachel M., Rowe, Michael, Ozuru, Yasuhiro, McNamara, Danielle S. |
| Source: | Topics in Language Disorders. Jan-Mar 2005 25(1):65-65. |
| Availability: | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, P.O. Box 1620, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Tel: 800-638-3030 (Toll Free); Fax: 301-223-2400. |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 19 |
| Publication Date: | 2005 |
| Contract Number: | R305G040046 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Descriptive |
| Descriptors: | Textbooks, Sciences, Reading Comprehension, Readability, Text Structure, Textbook Selection, Reading Ability, Inferences, Knowledge Level, Readability Formulas, Reading Strategies, Computer Assisted Instruction |
| ISSN: | 0271-8294 |
| Abstract: | Many students from elementary school through college encounter difficulty understanding their science textbooks, regardless of whether they have language disorders. This article discusses some of the particular difficulties associated with science text comprehension and possible remedies for facilitating and enhancing comprehension of challenging expository text materials. Specifically, the authors focus on the difficulties associated with generating inferences needed to comprehend science texts. The successful generation of inferences is affected by factors such as students' prior knowledge and reading strategies, and the manner in which science texts are written. Many students lack the necessary prior knowledge and reading strategies to generate inferences and thus comprehend science texts only poorly. Further, science texts are typically "low-cohesion" texts, which means that they require readers to generate many inferences and fill in conceptual gaps. Remedies for overcoming comprehension difficulties include matching texts to students' knowledge level and providing explicit instruction aimed at teaching students to use reading comprehension strategies for comprehension monitoring, paraphrasing, and elaborations. The computer-supported tool iSTART (Interactive Strategy Training for Active Reading and Thinking) is introduced as a technological support to assist students and teachers in the teaching/learning enterprise. |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| Number of References: | 110 |
| IES Funded: | Yes |
| Entry Date: | 2005 |
| Accession Number: | EJ712701 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Many students from elementary school through college encounter difficulty understanding their science textbooks, regardless of whether they have language disorders. This article discusses some of the particular difficulties associated with science text comprehension and possible remedies for facilitating and enhancing comprehension of challenging expository text materials. Specifically, the authors focus on the difficulties associated with generating inferences needed to comprehend science texts. The successful generation of inferences is affected by factors such as students' prior knowledge and reading strategies, and the manner in which science texts are written. Many students lack the necessary prior knowledge and reading strategies to generate inferences and thus comprehend science texts only poorly. Further, science texts are typically "low-cohesion" texts, which means that they require readers to generate many inferences and fill in conceptual gaps. Remedies for overcoming comprehension difficulties include matching texts to students' knowledge level and providing explicit instruction aimed at teaching students to use reading comprehension strategies for comprehension monitoring, paraphrasing, and elaborations. The computer-supported tool iSTART (Interactive Strategy Training for Active Reading and Thinking) is introduced as a technological support to assist students and teachers in the teaching/learning enterprise. |
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| ISSN: | 0271-8294 |
