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The Active View of Reading: Moving Beyond the Simple View

The Active View of Reading: Moving Beyond the Simple View

Jul 02, 2024 Posted by: Jennifer Orr active learning,  Active View of Reading,  decoding,  educational resources.,  Eyewords,  literacy,  reading strategies,  self-regulation,  Simple View of Reading

In the ever-evolving landscape of literacy and education, two models of reading comprehension have garnered significant attention: the Simple View of Reading (SVR) and the Active View of Reading (AVR). At Eyewords, we embrace the Active View of Reading, recognizing its comprehensive approach to literacy. Here’s a closer look at both models and why the active model aligns with our mission.

 

The Simple View of Reading (SVR)

The Simple View of Reading, proposed by Gough and Tunmer in 1986, posits that reading comprehension (RC) is the product of two primary components: decoding (D) and language comprehension (LC).

Decoding (D): This involves the ability to translate written text into spoken words. It’s about recognizing words quickly and accurately.

Language Comprehension (LC): This component encompasses the ability to understand spoken language, including vocabulary, sentence structure, and discourse.

You may have seen Scarborough’s Reading Rope. It is often referred to as the Simple View of Reading. It contains two main sections: Word Recognition and Language Comprehension. Each of these sections comprises several smaller strands that are interconnected and when woven together become the rope that represents skilled reading.

The Active View of Reading (AVR)

Recently, research has gone beyond the Simple View of Reading to create a more detailed model called the Active View of Reading. Like the Simple View, the Active View recognizes that good readers have strong word recognition and language comprehension skills. However, it also emphasizes the importance of being actively involved in the reading process. Readers should feel empowered, motivated, engaged, and capable of self-regulation as they read and understand texts.

Key elements of the AVR include:

  1. Active Engagement: Readers are actively involved with the text, making predictions, asking questions, and relating the material to their own experiences.
  2. Strategic Processing: Effective readers use various strategies to understand text, such as summarizing, visualizing, and inferring.
  3. Metacognition: Readers keep track of their understanding, recognizing when they are confused and using strategies to clear up their confusion.
  4. Contextual Influences: Reading comprehension is affected by the context, including the reader’s purpose, motivation, and the social setting.

 

Supporting Active Self-Regulation in the Reading Process

At Eyewords, we know that helping readers regulate themselves actively is crucial. Our approach and resources are designed to make readers feel motivated, engaged, and in control of their learning. Here’s how we support active self-regulation:

  1. Empowerment: Our materials build confidence in learners. When students believe in their abilities, they are more likely to take risks and engage deeply with the text.
  2. Motivation: Our multisensory-phonemic approach makes learning fun and engaging, keeping motivation levels high. By using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements, we make sure learning is enjoyable.
  3. Engagement: Active engagement is encouraged through interactive exercises and play-based activities, helping students make connections with their own experiences. This active involvement leads to better retention and understanding of the learning.
  4. Self-Regulation: We promote metacognitive strategies that help students monitor their learning and reflect on their thinking processes to adjust their reading strategies as needed.
  5. Versatile Use: Our resources can be used as stand-alone tools at home and in school settings. They are also designed to integrate seamlessly with any reading curriculum or phonics program, providing flexibility for both educators and students.

    The Simple View of Reading has been important in our understanding of literacy, but the Active View of Reading builds on this by recognizing the complex, interactive nature of reading. At Eyewords, we are dedicated to the Active View of Reading, helping students become engaged, strategic, and reflective readers. By fostering a love for reading and providing students with the tools they need, we aim to create a generation of lifelong learners.