Reading Materials Research Articles

Teaching Reading Skills in the Indian Engineering Context: Challenges and Experiences

ABSTRACT This study focuses on teaching Engineering students reading skills in the English classroom. The methodology comprised conducting surveys—with the aid of three questionnaires—to gather the views of Engineering students, English faculty, and Engineering faculty on how reading skills could be taught and learned effectively. In addition, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews to clarify some doubts that arose after the survey. The survey questions gathered the survey participants’ background, their reading purposes, their preferences regarding reading and reading activities, reading expectations and challenges, suggestions for interesting reading materials, and ways to improve reading skills. The data interpretation of the three surveys and the subsequent interviews highlights the steps to be taken to enhance the Engineering learners’ English reading skills.

PENGARUH LITERASI MEMBACA TERHADAP PRESTASI BELAJAR SISWA KELAS VIII MATA PELAJARAN ILMU PENGETAHUAN SOSIAL DI SMP NEGERI 34 KOTA BEKASI

This research aims to determine the effect of reading literacy on the learning achievement of eighth-grade students in the subject of Social Sciences (IPS) at SMP Negeri 34 in Bekasi City. In this study, the method used is a quantitative method with a descriptive approach. The sampling technique used is random sampling taken from the total population of class VIII A-I randomly, with a total sample of 79 students. The analysis technique used is simple linear regression. The results of the analysis of the coefficient of determination test in the model summary show an R square value of 0.135, which means that the influence of reading literacy on student learning achievement is 13.5%. The theoretical and practical implications suggest that by developing reading materials, schools should ensure the availability of relevant and engaging reading sources to enhance reading literacy activities at SMP Negeri 34 in Bekasi City. This research makes a significant contribution to the understanding of the critical role of reading skills in improving the academic performance of eighth-grade students in Social Studies

PERAN PUSTAKAWAN DALAM MENINGKATKAN MINAT KUNJUNG SISWA KE PERPUSTAKAAN PADA SMAN 2 PAMEKASAN

The library is a place that contains all types and various fields of knowledge so that it is used as a learning resource. The aim of writing this article is to provide information to readers regarding the role of llibrarians in increasing students' interest in visiting the library at SMAN 2 Pamekasan. In writing this article, the author used descriptive qualitative research methods. Qualitative descriptive is the process of describing the results of a problem that occurs around you. The data collection techniques used by the author are observation,interviews, and literature study. Meanwhile, in data analysis, the author uses data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion. Theresults of this article are (1) Librarians provide services in the form of reference services, circulation services, provision of reading materials, arrangement of shelves, maintenance of facilities, and provision of internet access. (2) Efforts to increase interest in visiting include providing new and varied reading materials, providing services, and providing facilities and promotions. (3) Librarians must be able to establish good relationships with the school community to increase interest in visiting. (4) Factors that can influence visitor interest are health, fitness, interest, environment, facilities, motivation, and technology. (5) The challenges faced by librarians in visiting interests are competition between technologies, poor perception, lack of promotion, minimal collection of reading materials, lack of an OPACsystem, and lack of audio-visual media.

Optimizing Linked List-based Smart Contract on Ethereum with IPFS for E-book Management System

People are now widely adopting digital assets in various applications, integrating them into almost every aspect of their lives. Electronic books, or e-books, are one of the digital assets that result from the transformation of physical reading material into the digital world. Nowadays, blockchain is used in many industries because it provides immutable and transparent records. E-book publishers may take this opportunity to adopt blockchain technology for e-book data management. However, blockchain storage is limited; thus, storing the e-book files in blockchain is not recommended. A decentralized storage system, such as InterPlanetary Files Systems (IPFS), is an alternative way to store large files like e-books. IPFS can facilitate the storage of e-book files while the metadata is stored in the blockchain. The e-book metadata should be stored in a structured way for effective search and retrieval. E-book metadata could be added, deleted, and updated occasionally. Nevertheless, some data structures often struggle with dynamic collections of records. This paper proposes a linked list-based smart contract on Ethereum that integrates with IPFS for the e-book management system. We demonstrate the implementation of a linked list smart contract for insertion, deletion, update, retrieval, and traversal of the e-book’s metadata. The result shows that a linked list-based smart contract with IPFS could offer a robust solution for e-book data management. This solution provides more opportunities to explore further security and cryptography approaches toward a secure e-book management system.

Intelligent Support for Low Literacy Adults: The European Portuguese iRead4Skills Corpus

This paper presents the Portuguese dataset of the iRead4Skills project (Dataset 1: corpora by complexity level for FR, PT, and SP – v.2.0), a representative sample of written European Portuguese for automatic complexity assessment that addresses a gap in existing resources for Portuguese. The corpus was created within the framework of the iRead4Skills project, which encompasses Portuguese, French, and Spanish. The project aims to develop an intelligent system to evaluate text complexity while recommending appropriate reading materials to native adult learners with low literacy skills. The corpus compilation involved a manual selection of text samples across various textual genres and document types, covering a wide range of existing written materials and focusing on the reading needs and reading habits of the target audience—low literacy adults enrolled in vocational education and training centres or adult learning (AL) centres. The collected texts were categorised into the three distinct levels of complexity targeted and defined by the project: very easy, easy, and plain levels. Texts of higher complexity were also included, resulting in the creation of four distinct sub-corpora. The resulting Portuguese dataset consists of 2,186 texts and 942,818 tokens and serves as the foundational source for training and testing the project’s complexity analysis systems. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the compilation process of the corpus, encompassing its methodological design and the challenges faced. Although some existing Portuguese corpora were used for complexity studies and tool development, these primarily consist of texts classified according to CERF levels and retrieved from didactic materials designed for L2 teaching/learning or texts produced by L2 learners. The corpus presented in this paper introduces a new resource that addresses a significant gap in materials needed to inform and support studies and applications related to text complexity. The resulting dataset provides a novel and important language resource for European Portuguese, with several applications including research on linguistic complexity, development of automatic text complexity and readability assessment systems, and educational purposes.

Female EFL Learners at the College of Basic Education: Attitudes and Experiences with Autonomous Learning

This study investigated the impact of autonomous learning on female students' motivation in EFL classrooms at the College of Basic Education (CBE), which falls under the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) in Kuwait. Specifically, the research examines whether allowing students to control their learning choices enhances their interest and participation in class. A total of 176 female students from the CBE participated in this study. A limitation of this study is that it was conducted exclusively on female students. Data was collected through pre-course and post-course questionnaires focusing on students' preferences, experiences, and topic selection in reading comprehension. The findings revealed that 90% of students preferred choosing their lessons, 98% enjoyed selecting their reading materials, and 92% felt more in control of their learning process. The results highlight the significance of providing relatable and engaging reading comprehension.

Development of a Satir Model-Based Communication Program in Home Economic Education for Middle School Students

This study sought to address the challenges adolescents face in interpersonal relationships and communication, emphasizing the importance of communication education for their development. Its principal aim was to develop a communication program for middle school home economics education (HEE) based on Satir theory through a process comprising a literature review, program development, and expert evaluation. The program was designed using Satir's iceberg model, highlighting the reciprocal relationship between communication and self-esteem. Its purpose is to enhance self-esteem and communication through self-awareness. The program consists of 8 sessions, 22 activity sheets, 6 video clips, 2 books, 1 music source, 3 online teaching tools, and teacher reading materials. It was finalized after being validated by 9 HEE education experts. The significance of the program lies in the fact it introduces a communication curriculum that can be integrated into middle school education, a critical period for stabilizing communication habits and forming identity. Furthermore, it demonstrates the potential for HEE to offer interconnected lessons that emphasize both self-esteem and communication, addressing previously overlooked aspects by incorporating key elements of Satir theory. Future research should focus on implementing this program in classrooms to evaluate its effectiveness. Additionally, to enhance its practical application, it is essential to improve HEE teachers' understanding of Satir theory through targeted training or professional development.

Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills in Senior High School Students through Targeted Strategies in English Reading Instruction: A Comprehensive Examination and Implementation Framework

This article explores the vital task of cultivating critical thinking skills in senior high school students through English reading instruction. Recognizing the pivotal role of critical thinking in fostering independent and analytical learners, this study employs a comprehensive methodology, integrating literature review, theoretical frameworks, and practical strategies. We present an implementation framework, synthesizing established critical thinking theories with innovative pedagogical methods, addressing the unique challenges of senior high school English classrooms. Our framework includes diverse reading materials, interactive learning experiences, and assessment tools to measure and reinforce critical thinking. Drawing on insights from educators, students, and experts, the research contributes valuable guidance for optimizing English reading instruction. As education evolves, this timely resource aims to support educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers in fostering a generation of students equipped with the cognitive agility essential for success in academic pursuits and beyond.

Investigating Teachers’ Use of Reading Materials to Cultivate Moroccan EFL Learners’ Critical Thinking Skills and Dispositions: Towards a new classroom pedagogy

Investigating Teachers’ Use of Reading Materials to Cultivate Moroccan EFL Learners’ Critical Thinking Skills and Dispositions: Towards a new classroom pedagogy

Information Technology Integration Strategy in Public Library Services

This study aims to identify the integration strategy of information technology in public library services in Bone Regency. Using a qualitative method with a case study approach, this research explores how information technology is applied in library management and its impact on service quality. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 15 informants consisting of 5 librarians, 5 library users, and 5 relevant stakeholders. The results show that the use of information technology, such as online catalogue systems and digital services, can improve the accessibility and efficiency of library services. Librarians in Bone Regency stated that technology helps them manage collections and serve users more quickly and accurately. Library users revealed that technology-based services make it easier for them to search for information and access reading materials remotely. However, some challenges, such as limited infrastructure and technical knowledge, still need to be overcome. This research highlights the importance of training and capacity building for librarians as well as increased investment in technology to maximise its benefits for public libraries in Bone Regency.

Public Sector Organizational Culture Innovation: Improving General Literacy skills in SD/MI, SMP/MTs in Pesisir Selatan Regency

The enactment of law number 23 of 2014 concerning local government and government regulation number 38 of 2017 concerning regional innovation and supported by regent regulation number 7 of 2022 concerning the policy of developing a decent district in order to encourage the creation of an innovative organizational culture in the education sector of the southern coastal district. The research method used in writing this article is descriptive qualitative, the results obtained from this research are in the form of annual school report card data starting from the SD / MI, SMP / MTs levels in the southern coastal district, and which are challenges in improving general literacy in the southern coastal district school environment such as limited infrastructure, availability of books and reading materials, and community mindset. The conclusion is that improving general literacy in the southern coastal district requires a comprehensive and sustainable innovation in public sector organizational culture.

An educational intervention to enhance self-care practices among 1st year dental students- a mixed method study design

BackgroundPrevalence of rising stress among medical students has been reported widely and may jeopardize patient interaction and care. Evolving medical education needs to demonstrate compassionate self-care practices to enhance mental well-being of students. Although numerous researches have highlighted the stressors and coping strategies but no structured educational intervention has been reported so far among medical students of Pakistan. Hence, we explored if a Personal Development Plan could stimulate meaningful self-reflection and self-care practices among dental students.MethodsAll first-year dental students of Riphah International University participated in this mandatory lesson plan. This 1-h activity every fortnightly, consisted of a thought-provoking discussion with predetermined reading material followed by SMART goal settings & later follow ups. Students were divided into 4 groups of 18–20 students with a designated trained Mentor. At the end of academic year, students were asked to submit a 500-word reflection based on their experience of understanding self-care needs (intellectual, emotional, physical, spiritual aspects).A mixed-methods embedded design was used. First a quantitative analysis of the content of all 75 students' reflections was conducted using a scoring system based on the REFLECT rubric. Then for the qualitative manual thematic analysis, the researchers exclusively used reflections that scored levels 3 and 4 on the REFLECT rubric.ResultsApproximately 60% of students demonstrated an in-depth thoughtful reflection according to the REFLECT rubric. Students reflected by acknowledging the importance of self-care for their personal and professional grooming, Some observed the positive impact of working on self-determined healthy lifestyle behaviours on their physical & emotional wellbeing. They stressed the importance of physical activity, meditation and social connections in their daily life. They also reflected on reduced stress after incorporating these self-care strategies.ConclusionsThis study supports the value of incorporating self-care strategies in medical/dental curriculum to enhance personal and professional wellbeing of students and hence patient care. Students reflected on different themes of self-care related to physical, spiritual and social wellbeing. In addition, more than half of the students exhibited higher levels of reflection suggesting that these sessions contributed to action-oriented self-awareness towards holistic health.

FROM PAGE TO SCREEN: EXPLORING MALAYSIAN TEACHERS' PERSPECTIVES ON THE FEASIBILITY OF A MOBILE READING MODULE

Among the significant challenges several Malaysian teachers face, especially those teaching in primary school, is the need for more resources to teach reading comprehension. The implementation of mobile technologies provides favourable opportunities to facilitate teachers’ teaching competencies in teaching reading comprehension instructions. Nevertheless, the successful implementation of the mobile reading module depends on the perceptions and contributions of teachers. This study investigates the viewpoints of Malaysian primary school teachers regarding the needs and development of a mobile reading module. A survey with open-ended questions was sent to nine Year 5 teachers in Sabah, Malaysia, to collect their perspectives. All the teachers who participated in the activity provided constructive opinions regarding a mobile reading module, highlighting the potential advantages of using the mobile reading module to facilitate teaching instructions. The findings offer significant viewpoints from Malaysian primary school teachers regarding developing and implementing mobile reading initiatives. These findings may influence the development of mobile reading materials that are both relevant to the context and coordinated with teachers to improve teaching comprehension skills among teachers in Malaysia.

Translanguaging in instruction and pedagogic design: promoting learner-centredness in a teacher-centred reading classroom of a Bangladeshi university

ABSTRACT This study investigated the impact of translanguaging pedagogy on the reading comprehension process of first-year students studying at an English department of a Bangladeshi public university. Through a two-pronged ethnographic research design, data were collected through classroom observation, pedagogical intervention, a semi-structured interview with the class teacher and a focus group discussion with students. The entire data set was analyzed using ‘Moment Analysis,’ a conceptual framework, to provide pedagogical evidence supporting how translanguaging in instruction can facilitate students embracing a more active and collaborative role in a teacher-centered classroom. This study suggests that translanguaging-oriented instruction and pedagogic design can stimulate metalinguistic awareness to improve comprehension while enhancing active engagement with the reading materials to the benefit of the students who do not have English as a first language. Furthermore, translanguaging pedagogies can foster individualism (agency), a quality that English departments promote among their students. The findings have implications for planning future policy, including interim stages, that can bridge the English language proficiency gap between pre-tertiary and tertiary education in Bangladesh.

Revisiting the Schooling Inputs Debate: Experimental Evidence From an Early Grade Literacy Intervention in Lao PDR

ABSTRACTDespite the importance of interventions focused on schooling inputs, such as teacher training and provision of reading materials, there is mixed evidence on their impacts on the intensive margin of schooling. In this context, we provide evidence from a randomized controlled trial of a schooling intervention in Lao PDR, which focused on a combination of literacy activities, including teacher training, provision of reading materials, and community engagement in children's education. We show that the 2‐year effect of the literacy activities led to significant improvements in basic and foundational literacy skills for Grade 2 students in Lao PDR. We provide suggestive evidence that improvements in school environment (including more frequent engaging activities in the classroom by the teacher) and improvements in home literacy environment (such as encouraging children to read) play a key role in students' higher literacy outcomes.

ANALISIS KEBUTUHAN BAHAN BACAAN ANTI BULLYING UNTUK OPTIMALISASI GERAKAN ANTIBULLYING DI SD NEGERI 1 SUMITA

Based on the discussion review, it can be concluded that the results of this study are that there are differences in perception between teachers and Principals regarding the frequency of bullying incidents. The majority of teachers stated that bullying rarely occurs, while Principals identified that bullying often occurs. This difference indicates the need for relevant reading materials to improve understanding of bullying, both for students and teachers. Teachers agree that anti-bullying reading materials are very important in helping students understand the negative impacts of bullying and instilling anti-violence values. This study suggests the development of anti-bullying reading materials that are interesting, easy to understand, and supported by images in order to increase students' awareness and interest in understanding the issue of bullying. In addition to the research findings, best practices in this study include the following: Development of Interesting and Relevant Reading Materials, Involvement of Teachers in the Anti-Bullying Literacy Process, Use of Reading Materials as Discussion Tools, Combination with Guidance and Counseling Programs, Collaboration Between Schools and Parents, and Developing special guidelines containing practical steps in handling bullying cases at school.

Analisis Pelaksanaan Kegiatan Literasi dengan Program Gerli (Gerakan Literasi) yang Dikaitkan dengan Dongeng untuk Meningkatkan Minat Baca Siswa di SDN 1 Demulih

This research aims to analyze the GERLI (Literacy Movement) Program which uses the storytelling method at SDN 1 Demulih to increase students' interest in reading. This research aims to assess the effect of a fairy tale-based literacy approach on improving students' reading abilities. The approach used is a qualitative descriptive method, with data collection through observation, interviews and documentation. The research results showed that before the program was implemented, students' interest in reading was low. However, after the program was implemented, there was a significant increase in students' participation and understanding of reading material, especially in terms of listening, composing stories, and discussions. As many as 85% of students were actively involved, showing higher enthusiasm for literacy activities. This program is considered effective in improving students' literacy skills, with recommendations that literacy activities be held regularly with a variety of more interesting stories, as well as involving parents to support a good reading environment at home.

Manajemen Madrasah dalam Membangun Budaya Literasi Peserta Didik di Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 2 Lombok Timur

Literacy culture can be a reflection of the progress of the nation. Literacy culture can also be an indicator that distinguishes primitive society from civilized society. A nation whose literacy is still low will experience a gloomy civilization. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability, and management of madrasahs and implications in Basic Literacy, especially the reading aspect of students at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 2 Lombok Timur. In this study, documentation, observation, and interviews are the methods used to collect data. The results of the study are literacy activities that have begun to grow and develop at MAN 2 Lombok Timur, becoming a special attraction to make MAN 2 Lombok Timur a research location. This is related to Meidiawati's view that several things can be done to build a culture of literacy, namely fostering interest in reading, subsidizing or providing books or reading materials, optimizing the existence of libraries, appreciating written works, and government political support. madrasah management in building a culture of literacy for students at MAN 2 Lombok Timur. Management is related to efforts to plan, organize, mobilize, and control all aspects of activities in realizing the development of a culture of literacy. As part of the management carried out at MAN 2 East Lombok to build a culture of literacy, namely Building a joint commitment, Forming a literacy team, Monitoring and controlling the implementation of commitments, and Providing appreciation for active and high-achieving students (4-M). The management implemented at MAN 2 East Lombok can improve the ability and enthusiasm of students in literacy, improve the quality of literacy results, increase the number of literacy enthusiasts, and foster student awareness in cultivating literacy in their daily lives.

Implementasi Manajemen Perpustakaan untuk Meningkatkan Minat Baca Siswa

This research aims to analyze the implementation of library management in increasing students' reading interest. The method used is descriptive qualitative, with data collection techniques through observation, interviews and documentation. The research results show that library management includes several strategic steps. First, library planning focuses on creating an environment that supports learning and is fun for students. Second, organizing involves librarians and technical teams working synergistically to ensure library services run efficiently and effectively. Third, regular evaluations are carried out to ensure the library functions optimally as a learning resource center. This evaluation aims to identify areas that require improvement and innovation, so that the library continues to develop according to user needs. Library services to increase interest in reading include providing interesting reading materials, active promotions, book lending competitions, study tours, awards for active borrowers, reading records, and receiving suggestions for improvement.

READING MATERIALS IN THE LIFE TODAY ENGLISH BOOK: EFL TEACHERS’ VIEWS

Book is a vital media in EFL Learning process. Life Today book is an English book that becomes one of the primary reading references. However, this book likely has not been widely used by teachers in Indonesia because it is still new. It is interesting to study more on this based on the teachers who have used it. This study examines the reading materials in the English Life Today book of 12 grade in Senior High School level based on EFL Teachers’ view. This research applied mix-method with the use of close-ended and open-ended questionnaires to obtain the opinions of 50 English teachers in Jakarta and some vicinities areas. After gathering the data, the researchers tabulated, analyzed, and interpreted it systematically. The findings showed that 50 EFL teachers dominantly gave positive views towards reading materials in the English Life Today book based on its reading contents aspect, language use, pre-and post-reading, and presentation aspects. The EFL teachers also gave constructive suggestion including the more variation topics need to be added, the extra thesaurus also need to be provided, and the separated reading texts needs to be identified to differentiate low and high students’ level.