US College Students Struggle with Reading Skills; Technology Blamed for Shorter Attention Spans
Professors had to simplify coursework as students struggle with lengthy texts, which slowly eliminates critical thinking skills.
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A rising share of students entering US colleges are unprepared for the reading skills expected when they get to college.
Now, this has become a concern for elite universities because professors in such institutions often complain that students cannot read long texts. As a result, there is an increased reduction in the amount and complexity of assigned readings from instructors to accommodate the needs of students, thereby underlining issues about the lowering of standards and effects on students' critical thinking.
Declining Reading Skills of US College Students
Al Dia News reported that several factors contribute to the decline in reading proficiency among students.
For one, high school practices often emphasize standardized testing over deep, analytical reading, leaving students unprepared for the demands of college. Many students report never having read a full book in high school, relying instead on summaries or excerpts.
Other than that, constant exposure to digital content that provides brevity and speed has made them short attention span people who can't sit through long-form texts. One last factor is that the pressure of academic and extracurricular activities compels them to prioritize other activities over developing reading habits.
Effects of Poor Reading Skills on Professors
The effects of low levels of reading in higher education are dramatic. According to The Atlantic, professors must dumb down and lessen the amount of reading to keep up with students' abilities. In this, the positive effect upon the students is to be able to control their workload but at the cost of the richness of knowledge. Therefore, the development of critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis skills, all vital to professional and academic well-being, is jeopardized.
For institutions, these concerns should be addressed through long-term solutions by educators and policymakers. The high school curricula must have complete texts and require critical analysis to prepare the students for college.
Reading and analysis within digital tools can also fill the gap since it could increase access and interest in reading. Lastly, making reading for enjoyment rather than a chore may help instill this habit as long as one lives.
