Podcast Summary: "The Kids Aren't Reading Alright" – Today, Explained

Podcast Information:

• Title: Today, Explained
• Host/Author: Vox
• Description: Today, Explained is Vox's daily news explainer podcast. Hosts Sean Rameswamy and Noelle King guide listeners through the most important stories of the day.
• Episode: The Kids Aren't Reading Alright
• Release Date: November 20, 2024

Introduction: The Decline of Reading Among College Students

In the November 20, 2024 episode of Today, Explained, hosts Sean Rameswamy and Noelle King delve into a concerning trend within higher education: the declining reading habits of college students. This episode explores the multifaceted implications of reduced reading, the underlying causes, and potential solutions to reinvigorate critical reading skills among the younger generation.

The Current State of Reading in Higher Education

Beth McMurtry, a senior writer at the Chronicle of Higher Education, serves as the episode's primary expert, shedding light on the diminishing emphasis on reading within college curricula.

• Reduced Reading Assignments:

  • Quote [02:32]: "Maybe 15 years ago they assigned five novels and today they're assigning one. Or they may be eliminating academic articles altogether."

  Professors report a significant decrease in assigned reading materials. Where once multiple novels and dense academic articles were standard, the modern syllabus often features minimal reading requirements.

• Lack of Critical Reading Skills:

  • Quote [02:32]: "Students are coming to college lacking critical reading skills. They might be asked to summarize what they've read, and they fundamentally change the meaning of it."

  Beyond the quantity, the quality of reading has also declined. Students struggle with summarizing, comparing, and critically analyzing texts, leading to ineffective learning outcomes.

Impact on Education and Student Performance

The reduction in reading assignments has tangible effects on student performance and engagement.

• Educational Challenges:

  • Quote [04:10]: "Professors understand that if students are not doing reading, they have to change things up. Otherwise, they will have a really bad class session."

  Educators are adapting by incorporating alternative materials like news articles, essays, and videos to maintain student engagement, albeit at the expense of deeper, more comprehensive reading.

• Learning Outcomes:

  • Quote [09:21]: "More than 40% of seniors meet none of the college readiness benchmarks. The fifth consecutive year test scores have declined."

  Standardized test scores, including SAT and ACT, have shown a downward trend, with over 40% of seniors not meeting college readiness benchmarks. This decline is partly attributed to reduced reading and critical thinking skills cultivated during K-12 education.

Underlying Causes: Technology and the Pandemic

Several factors contribute to the decline in reading habits among students, with technology and the COVID-19 pandemic playing pivotal roles.

• Rise of Smartphones and Social Media:

  • Quote [05:30]: "The introduction of smartphones and the rise of social media have affected all of us. We are losing our ability to concentrate. We are getting distracted more easily."

  The pervasive use of smartphones and social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram has shifted attention spans, making sustained reading more challenging for students.

• Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic:

  • Quote [06:31]: "Teaching in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, led to a lot of traumatic experiences. Teacher burnout was at an all-time high. A lot of students were depressed."

  The sudden transition to online learning disrupted traditional educational practices. Teachers faced burnout, and students experienced increased levels of stress and depression, further diminishing their engagement with reading.

• Shift in Educational Practices:

  • Quote [07:11]: "Students were learning less and they were reading less. And at the same time, grading changed a little bit. There was more leniency around grading in some school districts."

  Changes in grading policies during the pandemic, such as grade inflation and leniency, may have inadvertently lowered academic standards, including reading requirements.

Expert Insights: Beth McMurtry and Marianne Wolf

Beth McMurtry: Educational Journalism Perspective

Beth McMurtry provides a comprehensive analysis of the issue, linking systemic educational challenges to the decline in reading.

• Educational System Flaws:

  • Quote [10:22]: "We have to remember that the students didn't create this environment. We, the adults, created the environment and the system that they lived in."

  McMurtry emphasizes that the current state of student reading habits is a consequence of long-standing educational practices and societal changes, not inherent deficiencies in the students themselves.

• Long-Term Cultural Shifts:

  • Quote [10:47]: "If we're shifting to an oral written culture again, if we're shifting to a multimedia culture, what does that mean? What are we gaining, even as we lose some of the deep reading that we have been used to doing?"

  She draws parallels to historical shifts from oral to written cultures, suggesting that while certain reading skills may be waning, new forms of literacy are emerging in the digital age.

Marianne Wolf: Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective

Marianne Wolf, a cognitive neuroscientist and director at UCLA's Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice, provides an in-depth exploration of the cognitive implications of reduced reading.

• Deep Reading’s Cognitive Benefits:

  • Quote [16:03]: "The brain had to build up a new circuit. Cognition, language, perception, memory, but also feeling, affect. So we build this circuitry, and then over time, we actually have the capacity to elaborate it."

  Wolf explains that deep reading develops complex neural circuitry that enhances various cognitive functions, including empathy, critical analysis, and memory.

• Empathy and Critical Analysis:

  • Quote [16:53]: "Empathy, critical analysis, and a sense of sanctuary are essential components of deep reading that are being lost."

  She highlights that reading fosters empathy by allowing individuals to immerse themselves in others' lives and thoughts, while also enhancing critical thinking skills necessary for evaluating information.

• Challenges with Alternative Media:

  • Quote [20:21]: "Now, is it the same as reading at the immersive level? For some it is, but by and large it does skip what is called comprehension monitoring."

  While audiobooks and digital media offer alternative ways to consume information, Wolf argues that they often lack the depth and comprehension monitoring inherent in traditional reading, which are crucial for deep cognitive engagement.

The Importance of Deep Reading in the Digital Age

Wolf underscores the unique benefits of traditional reading compared to other forms of media consumption.

• Cognitive and Emotional Engagement:

  • Quote [19:56]: "Books have become like vinyl. They are the antithesis of the get it done and over with mode."

  Unlike the fragmented and fast-paced nature of digital media, books require sustained attention and foster a deeper emotional and cognitive connection to the content.

• Spatial Memory and Kinesthetic Learning:

  • Quote [20:18]: "The palpable kinesthetic nature of the book aids spatial memory."

  Physical interaction with books enhances spatial memory, allowing readers to recall information based on the book's physical layout, a benefit often lost with digital reading formats.

• Inner Dialogue and Reflection:

  • Quote [22:14]: "Reading allows for an inner dialogue and reflection that media like videos or social media do not."

  The solitary and reflective nature of reading encourages personal insights and self-awareness, fostering a deeper understanding of both the material and oneself.

Solutions and Path Forward

Addressing the decline in reading requires concerted efforts from educators, parents, and society at large.

• Modeling Love for Reading:

  • Quote [23:24]: "We have to model love of what happens when we are entering that state."

  Wolf advocates for adults to demonstrate their passion for reading, thereby inspiring younger generations to value and engage in deep reading practices.

• Challenging Educational Practices:

  • Quote [24:48]: "How would we let our next generation just go down that slippery slope into the shallows?"

  Educators must resist the trend towards superficial learning and strive to incorporate more comprehensive reading and critical thinking exercises into their curricula.

• Balancing Digital and Traditional Literacy:

  • Quote [10:47]: "If we're shifting to an oral written culture again, what does that mean?"

  Embracing new forms of literacy while preserving the cognitive benefits of traditional reading can create a more balanced and effective educational ecosystem.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The episode concludes with a poignant reminder of the profound cognitive and emotional benefits that deep reading provides. As society becomes increasingly digital and fast-paced, the imperative to revive and maintain robust reading habits among young people becomes ever more critical. By modeling a love for reading and re-evaluating educational practices, there is hope that the next generation can reclaim the depth and empathy that comes from engaging deeply with written works.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Beth McMurtry [02:32]: "Students are coming to college lacking critical reading skills. They might be asked to summarize what they've read, and they fundamentally change the meaning of it."
• Beth McMurtry [04:10]: "Professors understand that if students are not doing reading, they have to change things up. Otherwise, they will have a really bad class session."
• Beth McMurtry [09:21]: "More than 40% of seniors meet none of the college readiness benchmarks. The fifth consecutive year test scores have declined."
• Beth McMurtry [10:22]: "We have to remember that the students didn't create this environment. We, the adults, created the environment and the system that they lived in."
• Marianne Wolf [16:53]: "Empathy, critical analysis, and a sense of sanctuary are essential components of deep reading that are being lost."
• Marianne Wolf [19:56]: "Books have become like vinyl. They are the antithesis of the get it done and over with mode."
• Marianne Wolf [20:21]: "Now, is it the same as reading at the immersive level? For some it is, but by and large it does skip what is called comprehension monitoring."

Final Thoughts: "The Kids Aren't Reading Alright" offers a compelling examination of a critical issue facing modern education and society. Through expert insights and thoughtful analysis, Today, Explained highlights the urgent need to address declining reading habits and underscores the profound benefits that deep, meaningful reading can offer to individuals and communities alike.