Reading Literature, Reading Text, Reading the Internet: The Times They Are a'Changing

Abstract

Responding to a recent U.S. survey that indicated declines in pleasure reading, the author asks, “Are adults reading less or are they just reading differently?” From this springboard, she goes on to discuss trends in early literacy and elementary education, along with different types of literate behaviors. By looking at the increasing availability of informational text, its use in classroom instruction, and the expanding role of technology in U.S. culture, the author provides some insights and possible answers to questions about the nature and practice of reading today.