“Google and me together can read anything.” Online reading strategies to develop hypertext comprehension in ESL readers

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 896-914
Author(s):  
Kshema Jose

If we are to build in our students, literacy skills relevant for the 21st century, reading classrooms need to take into account the changing nature of texts that our students are required to read in real-world contexts (Alexander & The Disciplined Reading and Learning Research Laboratory, 2012). This paper exhorts ESL teachers to use online texts or hypertexts, in addition to print textbooks, in the reading classroom. The use of hypertexts can increase the literacy participation of students by making reading authentic, and ensuring literacy skills they acquire more meaningful and productive (Coiro, Killi, & Castek, 2017). In the reading classroom where this research was located, it was observed that readers who scored low on reading comprehension tests based on print texts demonstrated higher levels of comprehension while performing on tests based on hypertexts. The study was conducted to identify the reading strategies used by these readers. It was found that ESL readers were able to overcome deficits in their prior knowledge (topic familiarity) and/or language proficiency by using specific reading and navigating strategies. This paper proposes that strategy training in the use of newer reading and navigating strategies might help develop online reading comprehension expertise and build independent reading habits in ESL readers.

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Coiro

ABSTRACT: This paper details a number of challenges and opportunities for today’s learners when reading for information on the Internet. After defining online reading comprehension from a new literacies perspective and how it appears to be different than offline reading comprehension, I highlight details about four of the biggest challenges for today’s learners. These include 1) understanding and becoming proficient with the new literacy skills and practices needed for online research; 2) developing a special kind of digital wisdom that focuses on learning how to learn with the Internet; 3) taking on new roles in a digital culture that expects learners to actively participate and contribute with new knowledge as a member of their community; and 4) developing positive attitudes toward using the Internet for academic work. The second part of the paper shares examples of how skilled online readers can use the steps of online inquiry to think more deeply about topics that interest them; develop a personal voice as they share ideas with others; and work collaboratively to build meaning and new digital products that enable them to make a difference in their world, or matter. You can explore the research and resources from this presentation in more depth at <http://coiroevidosol.wikispaces.com/>.KEYWORDS: online reading comprehension; online inquiry; digital literacy; reading on the Internet; online readers. RESUMO:Este artigo detalha alguns desafios e oportunidades para o aprendiz contemporâneo, quando ele lê para obter informações na Internet. Depois de definir a compreensão da leitura online pela perspectiva dos novos letramentos e de mostrar como ela parece se diferir da leitura do impresso, eu destaco detalhes a respeito de quatro dos maiores desafios para os aprendizes na atualidade. Eles incluem: 1) compreender e se tornar proficiente nas habilidades dos novos letramentos e nas práticas necessárias para a pesquisa na Internet; 2) desenvolver um tipo especial de conhecimento digital que focaliza o aprender a aprender com a Internet; 3) a assumir novos papéis na cultura digital que espera que alunos, como membros de uma comunidade, participem ativamente e contribuam com ela trazendo novos conhecimentos; e 4) o desenvolvimento de atitudes positivas em relação ao uso da Internet para o trabalho acadêmico. Na segunda parte do artigo compartilho exemplos de como leitores de Internet habilidosos podem usar as etapas da pesquisa online para pensar mais profundamente sobre temas que interessam a eles; como podem desenvolver sua própria voz quando eles trocam idéias com outras pessoas; e de como eles podem trabalhar de forma colaborativa para construir sentidos e produtos digitais que lhes permitam fazer a diferença em seu mundo, ou naquele assunto. Você pode explorar a pesquisa e os recursos usados nesta apresentação de forma mais aprofundada no <http://coiroevidosol.wikispaces.com/>.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: compreensão da leitura on-line; pesquisa on-line; letramento digital; leitura na Internet; leitores online.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kshema Jose

<p>This study observed how two hypertext features – absence of a linear or author-specified order and availability of multiple reading aids – influence reading comprehension processes of ESL readers. Studies with native or highly proficient users of English, have suggested that readers reading hypertexts comprehend better than readers reading print texts. This was attributed to (i) presence of hyperlinks that provide access to additional information that can potentially help overcome comprehension obstacles and (ii) the absence of an author-imposed reading order that helps readers exercise cognitive flexibility. An aspect that remains largely un-researched is how well readers with low language competence comprehend hypertexts. This research sought to initiate research in the area by exploring the question: Do all ESL readers comprehend a hypertext better than a print text?</p> <p>Keeping in mind the fact that a majority of readers reading online texts in English can be hindered by three types of comprehension deficits – low levels of language proficiency, non-availability of prior knowledge, or both – this study investigated how two characteristic features of hypertext, viz., linking to additional information and non-linearity in presentation of information, affect reading comprehension of ESL readers. </p> <p>Two types of texts that occur in the electronic medium – linear or pre-structured texts and non-linear or self-navigating texts, were used in this study. Based on a comparison of subjects’ comprehension outcomes and free recalls, text factors and reader factors that can influence hypertext reading comprehension of ESL readers are identified. </p> Contradictory to what many researchers believe, results indicate that self-navigating hypertexts might not promote deep comprehension in all ESL readers.


Languages ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Deanna C. Friesen ◽  
Bailey Frid

The current study investigated the type of strategies that English–French bilingual adults utilize when reading in their dominant and non-dominant languages and which of these strategies are associated with reading comprehension success. Thirty-nine participants read short texts while reporting aloud what they were thinking as they read. Following each passage, readers answered three comprehension questions. Questions either required information found directly in the text (literal question) or required a necessary inference or an elaborative inference. Readers reported more necessary and elaborative inferences and referred to more background knowledge in their dominant language than in their non-dominant language. Engaging in both text analysis strategies and meaning extraction strategies predicted reading comprehension success in both languages, with differences observed depending on the type of question posed. Results are discussed with respect to how strategy use supports the development of text representations.


2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 264-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald J. Leu ◽  
W. Ian O’Byrne ◽  
Lisa Zawilinski ◽  
J. Greg McVerry ◽  
Heidi Everett-Cacopardo

Using a popularized notion such as Web 2.0 limits research efforts by employing a binary construct, one initially prompted by commercial concerns. Instead, the authors of this article, commenting on Greenhow, Robelia, and Hughes (2009) , suggest that continuous, not dichotomous, change in the technologies of literacy and learning defines the Internet. They argue that a dual-level theory of New Literacies is a productive way to conceptualize this continuous change, especially for education. They describe uppercase (New Literacies) and lowercase (new literacies) theories, using the new literacies of online reading comprehension to illustrate the process. They suggest this approach is likely to lead to greater equity, understanding, and acceptance of continuously new technologies within educational systems.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 17-34
Author(s):  
Seyed Hassan Talebi ◽  
Behnaz Seifallahpur

According to Oxford (1990), different learner variables affect the choice of learning strategy. It was also found that effective L2 readers know how to use strategies to foster reading comprehension and ineffective readers have little awareness of strategies to read effectively (Yang, 2002). This study investigates the contribution of three relatively important variables and their components (namely, the cognitive domain or awareness and use of strategies, the linguistic domain or general English proficiency level, and the affective domain or attitude toward reading in L2), to reading strategy use in English. The second purpose of the study is to find out the effect of reading strategy use on reading comprehension. For these purposes, 100 undergraduate Iranian EFL students participated in this study. They were given Language Proficiency Test, Test of reading comprehension in English, Reading Strategy Awareness and Use Questionnaire, and finallvy a questionnaire on attitude toward Reading. The obtained data were analysed using descriptive statistic (means, standard deviations), Pearson correlation procedure, regression analysis, ANOVA, and Scheffe post-hoc multiple range test. Analysis of data showed the three aforementioned variables, namely awareness and use of reading strategies, linguistic proficiency, and attitude toward reading had significant contributions to strategy use. However, strategy awareness showed to have the most contribution to strategy use. In addition, among the subgroups of strategy awareness, the metacognitive component showed to contribute more to strategy use. In this study it was also found students with higher strategy use gain better scores on the reading test. It is concluded that as degree of strategy use affects reading performance, in order to improve effective use of reading strategies teachers and learners should pay more attention to the development of awareness of reading strategies, especially the metacognitive component in order to have a good use of reading strategies for efficient reading.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilek Altun

The integration of technology into education is a substantial issue for supporting and updating teachers&rsquo; professional development in today&rsquo;s world and bringing up digitally literate generations and well-educated human capital. Studies have shown that technology integration in education is a complex and multidimensional issue. TPACK transcends the triad of core knowledge types and comprises the basis for the effective integration of technology into teaching. Therefore, the present study sought to understand the contribution of the technology attitudes and usage, digital literacy skills, and online reading comprehension strategies in pre-service early childhood teachers&rsquo; TPACK competencies. The participants in the study were 481 voluntary pre-service early childhood teachers (female=398, male=83). The data were collected as a cross-sectional survey. The study findings revealed that pre-service teachers&rsquo; TPACK competencies are associated with their technology attitude and usage, digital literacy skills, and online reading comprehension strategies, as well as that the variables explained 38% of the variance. However, pre-service teachers&rsquo; grade level and GPA are not related to their self-reported TPACK competencies. These findings can be seen as signals of the necessity for theoretical knowledge and practice to be developed in pre-service teachers&rsquo; technology integration in education.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document