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Teachable Moments: Reading skills of college students

TRANSCRIPT:

For South Carolina Public Radio, I'm Dr. Rénard Harris from the College of Charleston. This is Teachable Moments, a minute of education for students and parents.

In recent years, college professors have been sounding the alarm about a decline in students’ reading abilities. Many educators report that even highly motivated students are struggling to comprehend and analyze complex texts.

This trend is attributed to several factors, including the implementation of Common Core State Standards and standardized testing, which prioritized skill development over in-depth reading. The pandemic’s impacts on academic expectations and the widespread use of smartphones, which has altered reading habits, have further exacerbated the issue.

Some professors say a key to success is building a rapport with students and engaging them in meaningful discussions, while also maintaining high standards.

For the College of Charleston, I’m Dr. Rénard Harris.

Rénard Harris is an Associate Professor of Management in the School of Business at the College of Charleston (2022-present). He teaches courses in Leadership and courses in Managing Diversity. His leadership course focuses on the dynamics of effective leadership, positive influence, and clear vision. His Managing Diversity course focuses on exploring culture, experiences, and identity as asset and resource of those less heard and less seen.