College Reading Instruction as Reflected by Current Reading Textbooks

Abstract

This paper contrasts the traditional method of teaching college reading, based on behaviorist theory, with the modern model, based on psycholinguistic theory. It categorizes 20 current, popular reading textbooks as traditional, modern, or mixed. Although reading instruction has changed more slowly than the related field of writing instruction, the advantages of the modern model of reading are so considerable that the model will probably dominate the reading textbooks and the reading classes of the next century.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nancy V. Wood

Nancy Wood is Professor of English at the University of Texas at Arlington where she teaches composition and composition theory, reading and reading theory, and literature. She is the author of several textbooks on reading, argument, and study skills.