IES Research Conference 2009 Selected Slides from: Reducing the Complexities of Reading Comprehension: A Simplifying Framework [PPT] ies.ed.gov/director/conferences/09ies_conference/ppt/perfetti.ppt

IES Research Conference 2009 What do we mean by “comprehension”? Comprehension is defined as “intentional thinking during which meaning is constructed through interactions between text and reader” (Harris &Hodges, 1995). Thus, readers derive meaning from text when they engage in intentional, problem solving thinking processes. ---National Reading Panel 2000

IES Research Conference 2009 A definition that includes the text Reading comprehension “the process of simultaneously extracting and constructing meaning through inter- action and involvement with written language. It consists of three elements: the reader, the text, and the activity or purpose for reading.” ---p.viii, Report of Rand Reading Study Group, 2002.

IES Research Conference 2009 Building a mental model from a text “ Comprehension occurs as the reader builds a mental representation of a text message. ” ----Perfetti, C. A., Landi, N., & Oakhill, J. (2005).

Mental model Word 1 Each word is fit into mental models (multiple structures) to the extent possible Text messages are understood (and mental models are built) word by word

IES Research Conference Comprehensive Comprehension: More than we need for some purposes? The complex processes of comprehension: Three non-independent aspects Processes Knowledge Strategies

IES Research Conference 2009 Comprehension Processes: Strategies 1. Making connections 2. Questioning 3. Visualizing 4. Inferring 5. Determining importance 6. Synthesizing 7. Monitoring 8. Metacognition 9. Answering questions 10. Recognizing story structure 11. Summarizing

IES Research Conference 2009 Word Identification Meaning Selection Situation Model Building Proposition Extraction A simplified process framework of reading comprehension

Word knowledge Conceptual knowledge Linguistic Knowledge Text knowledge Attention The Simplified Knowledge Framework of Reading Comprehension text

IES Research Conference Implications of Simplification: 1. The basics of comprehension 1. Word knowledge Form and meaning 2. Language knowledge 3. Conceptual knowledge 4. Text knowledge 5. A “habits of mind” High standards for coherence and engagement