Reading is an integral part of chemistry education. The language of chemistry plays a major role when reading chemistry texts and textbooks. Reading textual and non-textual explanations impact students' understanding of chemistry texts and textbooks. In our review we outline the importance of reading texts and textbooks in chemistry education. We…

Purpose: In this article, we respond to Catts and Kamhi's (2017) argument that reading comprehension is not a single ability. Method: We provide a brief review of the impact of strategy instruction, the importance of knowledge in reading comprehension, and possible avenues for future research and practice. Results: We agree with Catts and Kamhi's…

This article reports an empirical study conducted in a Taiwanese English as a second language university class. Reader response theory is the theoretical framework guiding the study. Fifty-nine university students were encouraged to collaboratively create multimodal responses to a classic English reading. Taking an aesthetic reading stance, the…

The degree to which printed text and graphics complement each other to facilitate reading comprehension was studied with the following four research tools: a system for analyzing text and graphics to reveal aspects of their form and content; procedures to permit analysis of both verbal and nonverbal recall measures of comprehension, allowing…

A study researched the differential uses readers make of analogic and visual prompts for understanding and remembering complex prose. Fifty-two eleventh grade students with average and above average reading ability enrolled in a comprehensive high school in central Georgia participated in the study. They were ranked according to their ability to…

The role that illustrations can play in textbooks and other instructional materials is an issue that must appear rather baffling to the instructional materials designer. Focusing primarily on the use of illustrations in textbooks designed for able readers, a literature review has revealed the following: (1) illustrations have been shown in a few…

This article summarizes the findings of research studies designed to improve the comprehension of expository text for students with learning disabilities. Twenty-nine studies were located that met the inclusion criteria. Interventions gleaned from the review were categorized as content enhancement (i.e., advance and graphic organizers, visual…

A study tested the effects of using a graphic advance organizer before, during, and after reading on the comprehension of written text. Subjects were 197 sixth-grade students who were assigned to a graphic advance organizer group or a reading-only control group and who were also designated as below-level, at-level, and above-level readers. The…

Describes research into the adaptive function of illustrations in reading development of primary students, indicating that, for good readers, illustrations play a significant role in the early stages. This declines sharply with reading development. For poor readers, there is a progressive dependence on illustrations which appears unlikely to be…

Investigates the effects of explicitly cuing graphic aids in accompanying text. Finds (1) explicit cuing increases attention to graphic aids and recall of information displayed in graphic aids, and (2) poor readers' comprehension of illustrated text is improved by explicit cuing of graphic aids. (RS)

Using mathemagenic-based research as a guide, this study attempted to determine whether the location of a picture (pre- or post-reading passage) or the type of picture (overview or specific incident) could affect reading comprehension. Ninety-two college students were randomly assigned to one of the cells in a two-by-two factorial design and…

Studies the effects of visual elaborations on the cognitive processes of adult learners. Compares the effects of two types of visual elaboration strategies on immediate and delayed recall. Suggests that the incorporation of visual elaboration strategies produces a greater depth of processing, leading to better recall. (HB)

Analyzes the use of graphic aids in electronic texts by using four conceptual differences distinguishing printed and electronic texts. Proposes that these four differences can act as a theoretical framework informing the use of such graphic aids. Discusses the need for and the ramifications of such a theoretical model. (HB)

To determine whether high school students can be trained to use maps more effectively, a study examined linkage of feature and event information, the role of individual differences, and the roles of reading ability and preference for dealing with visual information. Subjects were 31 16- to 17-year-old high school students. Experimental and control…

A study determined if using specific reading strategies would improve students' grades in science. Subjects, 21 fifth-grade students in an urban area school, studied four units of science--two units using the strategies outlined in the series teacher's manual, and two units using semantic mapping, cloze exercises, graphic aids, and vocabulary…