Literacy and Motivation Reading Engagement in individuals and Groups

Focuses on how to create a society of "engaged readers" - readers who are socially interactive, strategic, and motivated. Provides a state-of-the-art review of research on promoting reading in relation to reading instruction.

The central question in this volume is how to create a society of "engaged readers" in today's world, where reading is increasingly overruled by other media, such as television and personal computers. Engaged readers, as the term is used in this book, means readers who are socially interactive, strategic, and motivated. This state-of-the-art review contains research on integrating cognitive, social, and motivational aspects of reading and reading instruction, the chapter authors argue that coming to grips with the notion of engagement in literacy requires redefining literacy itself to acknowledge the degree to which it is not only a cognitive accomplishment, but a social activity and an affective commitment as well. Promoting literacy acquisition thus requires interventions that address attitudes and beliefs as much as those that assure cognitive changes in learners. Equally important, the authors posit that literacy engagement involves the integration of cognitive strategies and motivational goals during literate activities. This necessary link between literacy and motivation is addressed from a variety of perspectives. Acknowledging the value of cross-national and cross-cultural comparisons, the book features chapters on the promotion of literacy in different regions around the world.

Contents: L. Verhoeven, C.E. Snow, Introduction--Literacy and Motivation: Bridging Cognitive and Sociocultural Viewpoints. Part I:The Social and Affective Context of Literacy Development. D. Barton, Literacy in Everyday Contexts. A.G. Bus, Paretn-Child Book Reading Through the Lens of Attachment Theory. J.M. De Temple, C.E. Snow, Conversations About Literacy: Social Mediation of Psycholinguistic Activity. P.P.M. Leseman, P.F. de Jong, How Important Is Home Literacy for Acquiring Literacy in School? T.H.A. van der Voort, Television's Impact on Children's Leisure Time Reading and Reading Skills. Part II:Prevention and Instruction Programs That Promote Literacy Engagement. L. Verhoeven, Prevention of Reading Difficulties. M.C. McKenna, Development of Reading Attitudes. J.T. Guthrie, K.T. Knowles, Promoting Reading Motivation. J.A. Langer, Literature as an Environment for Engaged Readers. D. Reinking, Multimedia and Engaged Reading in a Digital World. Part III:Policy Perspectives on Promoting Literacy Engagement. W.B. Elley, Literacy in the Present World: Realities and Possibilities. R. Serpell, Cultural Dimensions of Literacy Promotion and Schooling. R-M. Weber, Historical Perspectives on Promoting Reading: The Early Soviet Effort. B.V. Street, Literacy Empowerment in Developing Societies. D.A. Wagner, Conceptual Dichotomies and the Future of Literacy Work Across Cultures.