I wonder what “reading” means for the 21st century. Does it mean
Getting information from images, graphs and charts, as well as text?
Skimming for links on webpages as well as reading left to right word for word? (I’m sure students read more online than they do offline.)
Following webpage links to more in-depth information about the topic?
Writing down sticky-note comments on the electronic text as a person reads it and those comments are available for others to see?
Questioning the author through emails, blogs, and videoconferencing?
Blogging or videoconferencing with others about the meaning of the text? (Book clubs/literature circles online)
Comparing other sources of the same information such as looking at the same news story from newspapers of several countries?
Writing information to a WIKI about other stories with the same theme, location, or problem?
Getting cultural information that helps in the understanding of the reading material from a person in that country? What would a person from Colombia tell about Hernando Téllez’ “Just Lather, That’s All”?
Reading 50% or more of non-fiction?
Decoding text messages?
Determining the authenticity of the reading material?
Being able to build or do something as a result of reading instructions?
© Harry Grover Tuttle, 2007

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