Reading Comprehension: Assisting Children with Learning Difficulties

ISBN-13: 9789400711730 / Angielski / Twarda / 2011 / 259 str.

Gary Woolley

Opis

This book discusses reading comprehension and associated learning difficulties. It seeks to outline and elaborate on what constitutes reading comprehension and also the types of learning difficulties that impact on reading comprehension outcomes. In doing so, it seeks to address and inform the reader about issues found in the literature on reading. It discusses the need for a consistent and integrated approach to reading comprehension. The book details the complex nature of reading comprehension difficulties and the problems related to articulating clear definitions of various learning difficulties and the associated problems with assessment and diagnosis. It introduces a model for classifying reading comprehension based on the "Simple View of Reading." The book also focuses on recent conceptualisations of working memory and its function in regard to the complex task of reading and comprehension. It gives an explanation as to why reading comprehension is difficult for some children with a number of reading disabilities such as ADHD, autism, and language difficulties and dyslexia. The book then discusses and develops an understanding of comprehension at the word and discourse levels. It details some evidence-based reading comprehension methods that have been identified as being effective for children with learning difficulties.

Recenzje

From the reviews:

"This book deserves a place on the bookshelf of every teacher and researcher concerned with improving literacy standards. ... Gary has produced here a remarkable text that successfully integrates theories, research data and practices from a very diverse ... range of ideologies, disciplines and knowledge bases. ... comprehensive index makes the text a valuable resource and the extensive reference list serves as an invaluable source for additional information. ... recommend this book most highly to everyone with a genuine concern for raising standards in literacy." (Peter Westwood, Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties, Vol. 17 (1), May, 2012)

Spis treści

Introduction .- Reading Difficulties . What is Literacy? . The Concept of Reading Difficulties . The Simple View of Reading . Listening Comprehension . Classification of Reading Difficulties . Summary .- Reading Comprehension . What is Reading Comprehension? . Comprehension: A Cognitive Process . Comprehension and the Active Learner . Comprehension Difficulties . Socio-cultural Context . Task Variables . Text Variables . Reader Variables . Purpose . Summary .- Cognitive Architecture . Introduction . Cognitive Architecture . Working Memory . Long-term Memory . Learning Styles . Summary .- Language Processing . Chapter Overview . Language and Learning Impairments . Decoding Deficits . Dyslexia . Language Learning Disabilities . ADHD . Summary .- World Level and Discourse Processing of Text . Chapter Ov erview . Vocabulary . Quality of Word Representations . Fluency . Context . Late Emerging Disabilities . Summary .- Visualisation . Overview . Forms of Mental Encoding . The Nature of Visualisation . Visualisation and Mental Functions . Instruction and Visualisation . Visualisation and Poor Comprehenders . Linking Visual and Verbal Processes . Visualisation Strategies . Summary .- Using Inferences and Strategic Processing . Chapter Overview . Inferential Processing . Thinking Frames . Questioning . Prediction . Summary .- Dynamic Processing in and Between Texts . Chapter Overview . Global Text Structure . Exposition Genres . Different Exposition Genres . Dynamic Literacies . Summary .- Motivation . Introduction . The Self- system . Beliefs . Motivation and Psychological Needs . Autonomy . Competence . Relatedness . Summary .- Self-regulation, Metacognition, and Engagement . Chapter Overview . Self-regulation . Engagement . Self-regulation . Self-regulation Phases . Forethought Phase (before reading phase) . During Reading Phase (Performance Phase) . After Reading Phase (Self-reflection phase) . Summary .- Comprehension is Strategic . Chapter Overview . A Structured but Flexible Learning Environment . Self-questioning and Engagement . Explicit Teaching . Performance Feedback . Summary .- Multiple Strategy Frameworks . Chapter Overview . Multiple Strategies . Framework of Reading Comprehension . Purposeful Reading . Multi-stage Approach . Cooperative Groupings . Summary .- Supporting Learning . Overview . Supportive Interaction . Tutoring . Summary .- Assessment and Comprehension . Metacognitive Assessment . Responsive Approaches to Assessment . Summary .- References .- Subject index

Blurb

Reading Comprehension: Assisting Children with Learning Difficulties examines the complex nature of reading comprehension. It introduces a model for classifying reading comprehension based on an expanded Simple View of Reading. Issues related to assessment, diagnosis, and remediation of reading comprehension difficulties are discussed and translated into clear recommendations to inform reading intervention design and practice. It gives an informed understanding as to why reading comprehension is difficult for some children with learning disabilities such as ADHD, autism, language difficulties and dyslexia. From leading literacy research, the book develops a deeper understanding of thinking processes that facilitate comprehension at the word, discourse, and metacognitive levels. Children will benefit from the introduction of evidence-based methods for teaching reading comprehension using structured multiple-strategy frameworks.