Reading motivation is defined as “the motivational drive to read, an area of interest in the field of education,” (McRae, Guthrie, 2009); and the lack of motivation for reading has been a growing problem in the school system. It is especially prevalent in elementary-aged students because this is when children learn to read. Lack of motivation for reading is a problem that needs to be addressed because if it continues to grow, it will not only impact the child’s life, but also society as a whole.
Motivation comes from having a reason to do something, and the most popular reason for recreational reading is enjoyment. Students who read for their enjoyment have been proven to do better academically than those who read assigned texts from their teachers. Students who are less self-motivated start to avoid reading, which negatively impacts their reading comprehension. Even if those students are doing the assigned reading, it does not mean that they comprehend what they are reading.
So the question is “how can we motivate students to read before the lack of reading negatively affects their lives?” One simple answer is to make reading fun. Teachers can implement games or give incentives for completing an assignment. One especially effective way to motivate students is with technology. In today’s world, technology is everywhere, and it only makes sense that students would be more inclined to participate when using it.
There is not only one solution to this problem. Schools should have teachers start to motivate students to read. Even though this might not seem like an issue in our society, reading impacts our lives every day. This is a problem that needs to be rectified to allow present and future students to succeed.
Maria,
This is a problem that, like you said, isn’t considered often, but your analysis does a great job at conveying the importance of reading by displaying the problem at stake, as well as many attainable solutions. As high schoolers, reading after a long day at school is the last thing many of us want to do. Even if the reading is assigned, it can be tempting to simply skim the pages or find a summary online, but like you said, this likely reduces comprehension drastically. I agree with your statements that a lack of self-motivated reading can have a serious impact on acedemic performance and reading comprehension, and thought your proposed solutions were very encourageing, especially, “One simple answer is to make reading fun. Teachers can implement games or give incentives for completing an assignment.” This solution in particular reminded me of an inspiring article by The New York Times, “The Influence of a Perfect Teacher,” which displays just how far simple tactics like implementing games or giving incentives can go in the world of self-motivated education. The author reflects on her elementary education, in which her teacher made reading into a “ritual and compelling drama,” and her librarian had recommendations at all times and even a couch to read on for students who finished their work.
What’s so inspiring about this issue, is that the solutions are so simple, and even fun. The task seems really to be getting people to grasp how a lack of reading really does have negative effects on students.
I enjoyed your analysis of this issue, Maria, and I look forward to reading your further insight into this topic.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/15/well/family/teacher-reading-influence.html?searchResultPosition=9
Maria,
I agree that the lack of motivation to read for students today is an issue and it is one that I find myself faced with often. Since reading is seen as not the most fun activity to some, it can be hard to find the motivation to read. I can see how students who read for fun are higher achieving academically because they are practicing their comprehension skills more often and are using their brain in a different way than the students who do not read for fun. I agree that it is important to implement reading for fun into the lives of children today so they are more knowledgeable and more likely to succeed in the future. If children start reading early on and find ways to make it fun for them, it will become a habit and not be seen as a chore.
Maria,
I like how you mentioned that a lack of motivation to read is a growing problem leading to a negative impact on reading comprehension and intelligence as a whole. I find myself fighting the battle to read more and constantly feel that my vocabulary is lacking. Reading this article has brought to life some of my struggles and I hope it helps others realize the importance of reading as well. Thank you.