Remember when the Harry Potter books came out? Kids young and old and older were lined up to get them and to read them. They were a phenomenon like no other. And it was all about reading. And it was great.
Yep, we all know students don’t read enough books. It's no longer a Harry Potter world. Not in high school, and certainly not in higher education. Sure, your students may read the textbooks, but it’s a relatively unique student who reads regularly for pleasure. And any teacher at any grade level knows that reading has as many benefits as almost any other educational activity.
So, here are two ideas to help students in higher education not only read more, but to understand the pleasure, enjoyment and life benefits of reading books.
(1) Many colleges and universities have incoming freshmen read a book before arriving. Then the author often speaks during orientation and the book is subsequently discussed during the semester. That’s a great idea and should be an activity done by every higher educational institution. But why not expand the idea and have students read a book during each of their courses that is related to the subject of the course? Not a textbook, but a kind of pleasure book. A book to show students that there are great and popular books written about biology, psychology, mathematics and media. Sure, students will have to read five books if they take five courses, but…well, but why not? It’s a long semester. And what credit is this reading worth? Either extra credit or as a regular assignment with some writing and discussion.
(2) Why are there not campus reading groups? Why not required campus reading groups? Every student must belong to a group that includes 10 other students and a faculty member. A book is selected, read and discussed. Then another, and another throughout the academic year. Groups change every year and can often be organized by majors. How is credit for this activity given? It isn’t. Upon their entry into the university each student signs an honor-code-like agreement that requires their participation in this activity. Then let peer pressure and fascinating books do the rest.
Can books be required reading if they’re not attached to courses? Certainly they can. A process simply needs to be worked out that makes the activity interesting and enjoyable enough to achieve buy-in. Do students have to pay for the books. No, they should not have to pay for these books. They should be provided free either as an e-book or a print book.
What about the argument that there is enough for a prof to do without these extra books and groups to occupy their time? This is simply not a valid objection. The whole higher education enterprise is called education. Helping students find ways to become citizens who read regularly for pleasure is just another part of the educational process. It’s an important activity that simply must be done. If a course has too much to cover for reading to occur, then cover less and make time for the reading. Higher education includes understanding time management, for both faculty and students.
Hate these ideas? Do not want extra reading. Do not want to do this kind of thing. Then shame on you. Yep, shame on you.
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