Dissertation
College Reading and Writing: Studies in Interest, Self-Perception and Care
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005040
Abstract
A literate population positively impacts health rates, the economy and social structure of a community (Why Literacy, 2022). Increased literacy is vital for a strong democracy and is an indicator of equality, especially for women (Education International, 2016). The value of a literate society should an indicator of the importance of literacy instruction at all levels of education and not solely an outcome in early education. Reading and writing, the basis of literacy, are two foundational skills college students are expected to develop prior to entering any college classroom. Therefore, understanding how college students respond and react to literacy practices and classroom practices that promote literacy is vital. This dissertation aims to better understand how college students respond to previous literacy experiences, create their self-perceptions as readers, and how interest and caring practices may be related to these self-perceptions. College students’ past reading experiences inform their present-day reading and writing practices, interest and self-perception. The first study comprising this dissertation explores how college students approach reading. Through the lens of reader-response theory, findings from the first study suggest that though students find value in reading, they often have negative self-perceptions of themselves as readers, including shame and personal blame. Building on study one’s focus on college students’ interest in reading and writing, the second study within this dissertation asks college students to rate their level of interest in a college course based on the caring practices of the instructor. Findings from the second study suggest that specific caring practices can increase college students’ situational interest in a college composition course. Caring practices suggested by college students within study two are examined as an extension of care theory. Teaching reading and writing, the two foundational skills of literacy, is a complicated, yet essential skill to help students gain personal success and contribute to society at large.Keywords: reading, care theory, interest, self-perception, valuation, higher education, college students
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Details
- Title
- College Reading and Writing
- Creators
- Robin Ebert Mays
- Contributors
- Sarah Newcomer (Advisor)Jane Kelley (Committee Member)Kathleen Cowin (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Teaching and Learning
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 117
- Identifiers
- 99901019937801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation