titianmom Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Thought this was interesting. In a speed reading class the prof said that the average words per minute that people read today is: 150-250 30 years ago: 250-350. Hmmm..... too much TV? Less challenging texts in school? Interesting. Just thought I'd pass it on. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole M Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 My stab in the dark would be that our acquisition of information is now more thoroughly audio- and visually-driven (auditory? is that parallel?). You know, images and sound, more than print. Where did you learn this? What are the explanations being explored by the folks in the know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titianmom Posted May 25, 2010 Author Share Posted May 25, 2010 The teacher didn't go into the "whys", just that it is so. The class was on improving your speed and comprehension, etc. And of course he said the more difficult the text, the less words read a minute, but still the average is the average and it isn't the significant of a difference (text-wise) and our reading skills/speed stops improving by about 12-14 years old. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Here's a book on this topic: http://www.encounterbooks.com/books/losingourlanguage/ Losing our Language...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Here's a book on this topic: http://www.encounterbooks.com/books/losingourlanguage/ Losing our Language...... I read this several years ago when it was first published. It is an interesting book, but I don't recall that it really addressed the topic of reading proficiency declining. I recall that it was more focused on the way that language in school texts was being dumbed down. Maybe it is the effect of having easier texts that means that the average wpm when measured using the same text sample as in previous years goes down because the reader is no longer used to reading challenging texts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I'm sure it's related to whole word teaching and sight words. My "Why Johnny Doesn't Like to Read" page explains how whole word teaching and sight words make reading difficult and how it is related to vocabulary reduction and dumbing down of language in books. It also explains how it makes people not enjoy reading, which would make them read less, which would drive down their speed. To be a good, fast reader who is capable of reading at high speeds with reading ingrained as an automated reflex, you need both good phonics training and practice, I would think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I know my word count has dropped significantly from 30 years ago.:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragons in the flower bed Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 My stab in the dark would be that our acquisition of information is now more thoroughly audio- and visually-driven (auditory? is that parallel?). Auditorially? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 I have been worried about dd's reading speed. She does read slower than I do but then so does dh. But neither dd1 nor dd2 who is a much slower reader than her sister have any problems whatsoever completing standardized tests where reading is important. I know that isn't the case with kids they have tested with particularly dd1 who has done ACT testing and PSAT testing too. She never has problems completing the reading and science portions but others do. I have decided that my fears about her slower reading speed are probably misguided by the fact that I simply read much faster than average. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole M Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 Auditorially? That's probably it, but my spell check didn't like it. And, you know, my vocabulary has diminished in the last thirty years, too. (Okay, not really. I think I need more coffee.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 Mine has gone up significantly. Sigh. It is from skimming reams of homeschooling material to determine its suitability, and from hunting frantically for an answer while children wait impatiently. I am reading far, far fewer books. It is disconcerting how fast my few novels go, even when I only get to read them for a few minutes before I drop off to sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 Yes, I believe it's all connected. Also, with the huge explosion in video/audio options the past five years, most children and even many adults are moving into a totally new world, leaving most print (even online print) behind.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 I agree with this wholeheartedly, as well..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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