Summary
The present work entitled "The promotion of reading in university students" analyzes a system of actions that is aimed at promoting reading and training active readers, through the design of a system of varied activities based on a diagnosis.
Using the methods and techniques of scientific investigation. Where motivation plays a fundamental role in promoting reading to achieve its effectiveness. So, to promote the reading habit, group work was combined with individual work, always keeping in mind that the group has the main function. Examples are offered of how to disseminate and promote the existing literature in the Information Unit or University Library and thus contribute to the development of information sources and the advancement of new technologies. And finally the conclusions of this investigation are raised.
Introduction
Reading is a free activity that is used to satisfy certain spiritual needs, it is a dialogue between the reader and the universe of the text and the way in which the author's communication with the public occurs, but so that it occurs This communication requires that the state of the reader at a given moment finds points of contact with the text. Reading is an act of the spiritual present of people. For this reason, when it comes to encouraging the habit of reading, knowledge of this present guarantees a more effective reading orientation. Reading is an important part of our existence, since between 80 and 90% of the knowledge we acquire through the habit of reading.
Reading allows access to new knowledge, enjoy literature and the worlds that it opens up and be in better conditions to face the future. Readers are more likely to enter the world of work, to interact socially and to function as critical and participatory citizens. In addition, reading allows the imaginary encounter with others - authors, authors, characters -, encourages concentration and reflection, promotes processes of analysis, criticism, comparison, confrontation and new searches. (…)
Reading also allows you to explore your own tastes, interests and ideas ”(1)
When starting the motivation about reading, it should start from specific problems that are expensive for the student: personal, family, group or related to the historical-social, cultural, spiritual reality that surrounds him. The linking of some of these problems that are relevant to him with texts in which there is a recreation and meditation on them will favor empathic relationships by communicating something that is closely affective. (González, 1998)
In order to motivate students in a certain direction, it is necessary to start from the knowledge of their current motivational state and follow the reactions they experience under the stimuli that act on them. That is to say, the directional and energetic elements that characterize motivation become more easily prosecutable when they proceed on the basis of a diagnosis. (Alonso, 1999).
Based on all the above, an analysis was carried out based on the studies carried out at the University Venue, where students from the Faculty of Physical Culture show the lowest rate of readers as well as the use of library services, since they lack of reading habits, which this problem has an impact on low academic performance, poor understanding of texts, poor knowledge of their universe of knowledge, among other things.
Taking into account that reading is a very valuable activity, through which not only moments of recreation are achieved, but also that the human being has access to a large part of the culture, facilitates the learning of a great accumulation of knowledge and contributes to create much higher standards of behavior.
It is necessary to develop a system of actions to be able to carry out the development of a general and integral culture of the students. Therefore, the following objective is proposed:
Propose a system of varied activities to promote reading in young university students.
First of all, to get to know the individual characteristics of the users of this faculty, some methods of social research were applied, such as:
- Surveys Interviews Observation Analysis and Synthesis Bibliographic Consultations
The José Martí Pérez University Center is one of the three higher education centers in the province of Sancti Spíritus. It is located in the Popular Council of Jesús María and has an enrollment of 430 students in a regular day course, 814 students in course for workers in distance learning, there are 1,678 enrolled.
It is made up of faculties: Accounting and Finance, Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Humanities, SUM, Faculty of Physical Culture, the latter was selected to carry out our work in which a small sample was taken for said experiment. Where an initial diagnosis was applied, which in this case would be the first part of the work, a design thereof and finally the effectiveness or achievements obtained through the proposed actions.
Due to the importance that the topic of promoting reading has at present, it is necessary to carry out the following work in the center to assess, through a diagnosis, the real situation of the readers as well as the use of their funds in a more pleasant way.
This proposed system of activities not only allows the promotion and dissemination of texts, but also attracts its users to use the library's services, who are interested in learning about the new acquisitions that have arrived at the library. Information staff should not become a bookkeeper but a reader educator by promoting the reading of a good book.
Thus materializing current trends in information as an essential component of the development of a general and comprehensive culture.
Development:
Knowing how to read is not only being able to decode a set of spellings and pronounce them correctly, but fundamentally, it is about understanding what is read, that is, being able to reconstruct the global meaning of the text; This implies identifying the core idea that the author wants to communicate to us, the purpose that leads him to develop said text, the structure that he uses, and so on; In summary, we can say that it implies an intellectual action of a high degree of complexity in which the one who reads elaborates a meaning of the text that the same one that the author gave him.
Reading is a multiple activity. When we read, and we understand what we read, our cognitive system identifies letters, transforms letters into sounds, builds a phonological representation of words, accesses its multiple meanings, selects a meaning appropriate to the context, assigns a value syntactic to each word, constructs the meaning of the sentence to elaborate the global meaning of the text and makes inferences based on his knowledge of the world. Most of these processes occur without the reader being aware of them; These are very fast, since the comprehension of the text takes place almost at the same time that the reader moves her sight over the words.
When a literary work fully performs its function, the two sources of knowledge and pleasure not only coexist, but also merge: aesthetic pleasure, which is the superior activity of the spirit, knowledge, which lies in the substance and in the meaning, artistic as well.
As for pleasure, superficial people think that it is a matter of taste, and if it gives them more pleasure to play than to read a poem, they will do so without understanding that the word pleasure has a different meaning in both cases. The aesthetic pleasure supposes the development of the capacity of appreciation.
Taking into account the role that the importance of reading plays, this work is carried out, taking a small sample of second-year students of the Degree in Physical Culture belonging to a group that has an enrollment of 27 students, which represents a 4.1% of the general enrollment of your faculty. A survey (Annex 1) was applied to determine how often they attend the library, as well as their reading preferences and interests.
After an analysis of the results of this survey, we observed that the indicator is low in terms of reading habit, so one of the elements that influences this behavior is the low motivation that students present. It is also noteworthy that users or students who frequent the library are to consult the specific textbooks of their subjects, which is why it is evident that reading is considered a work instrument and not a source of pleasure.
The first point of the survey shows little dissatisfaction with the bibliographic funds. Because as referred to above, they do not read recreational literature, but mostly consult their textbooks on their specialty.
17 students answered yes, which represents 62.9%
7 students answered no, which represents 25.9%
3 students answered sometimes, which represents 11.1%
In the second point that refers to the taste for literary genres, after making a general analysis, it was evidenced that there is a very low index in the taste for genres. In the lyrical 6 students, Epic 7 students and the Dramatic 2 students. (See table No.1)
Of the types of documents that students like to read, they generally answered that they prefer to use: 23 students books, 7 students brochures, 8 students theses, 8 students serial publications, 7 students electronic documents (See table No.2)
They say that they enjoy reading in the morning, 6 students. For 22.2% in the afternoon hours 2 students for 7.4% and in the evening hours 5 students for 18.5%. They also report that they want to read in the library 7 students for 26% in the park 3 students for 11.1% at home 5 students for 18.5% and in other places 3 students for 11.1%. (See table No.3)
In this aspect of the investigative work, only 4 students were conducting research, which reports 15%.
In addition to knowing the students who were involved in research, it was possible to specify which were their topics to be investigated through interviews. The topics were related to sports psychology.
Based on these results, the development of a system of activities aimed at awakening interest in the habit of reading was proposed and directed mostly to this group in which this experiment was carried out.
- Contests
Two contests were called; the first on Major General Serafín Sánchez Valdivia, also extending to the community with the topic: Important investigations on his correspondence with José Martí.
The second was made on José Martí, Important aspects of his life They were made in the historical setting of his birth. The contestants presented their research on the aforementioned topics. The winning works were given books on the History of Cuba among other things.
- Information Day
Activity that the University Library carries out every month, mainly in the second fortnight, to disseminate important events and dates, as well as to promote titles of the latest acquisition.
Talks, group activities are held, in coordination with different centers in our province.
Among other activities, meetings were held with fighters from Playa Girón, in which the students had the opportunity to listen to anecdotes and experiences narrated by them.
Book launch
Book launches were carried out by different recognized authors from the province of Sancti Spíritus.
1. 1. Julio Yánez
2 2 Marlene García
3 3 Julio Crespo
- Literary Peñas
Six Literary Peñas were convened. These are held once a month, generally in coordination with the University Extension Department, where in each one different topics of great importance for the students were addressed, such as love, sexuality, environment, values, among others.
On the subject of love, to name a few examples, the participants recited poems, some brought their poems and read it, as well as promoting books of poems by different authors.
Books read by some students were debated where they made their judgments and evaluations about the same that they had previously recommended to read. Example Heart of Edmundo Amici.
- Exhibitions
The new acquisitions arrived at the library were exposed through the exchange, donation and purchase management with the aim of disseminating this bibliography later and after processing it, it would be incorporated into the collection for use. They are carried out on a monthly basis.
One of the last exhibitions held were the books that were purchased at the International Fair that was held throughout the country. Here adventure books, novels, history among others were acquired.
Through the survey it was possible to know the group of students that are linked to research topics for which the following services were designed.
At this time, the José Martí Pérez University Center has Internet service, a tool that allows the design of a wide range of information products and services and has opened the seas of information and knowledge for millions of people. To put this strategy into practice, the following services were designed:
Information Service for Talented Students
- Interview with the user:
The thematic interests of the users, the means they have to use the information offered, as well as other data that are necessary to take into account to carry out the information search will be known.
- Search for specialized information:
It is carried out taking into account the thematic interests of each user, languages he knows, quality requirements that he needs, among other aspects.
- Queries to reliable sites obtained from INTERNET Analysis and retrieval of pertinent information:
All the information obtained from the review of the visited sites is evaluated, discarding that which is not the most relevant. If necessary, consultations are made to experts on the subject.
- Document preparation:
All the information retrieved is organized for its dissemination either electronically, on magnetic media or on paper, that is, printed. This was established in the interview with the user.
- Verification of ownership of the document:
The user must contact the Library to communicate their level of satisfaction with the information received.
Information monitoring: Periodic monitoring of scientific, economic, technological, commercial or financial information in national and international sources of information on a topic of interest to the user with newer themes to support research, thesis, master's degrees, doctorates and graduate theses.
Table of contents: Table of contents of serial publications of the aforementioned topics of the university library collections and also magazines in electronic format that appear on the Internet.
Preparation of thematic informative products: It consists of reviewing articles on a specific topic downloaded from the Internet.
After having designed the system of activities to encourage the habit of reading in students, the survey was applied again to assess its effectiveness where it could be seen in relation to the previous one that the results were encouraging, which is expressed later in the following aspects:
There is a greater satisfaction in the use of library funds, a greater understanding of the need to read. In addition to having increased the collection with the books acquired at the Book Fair.
21 students answered yes, which represents 77.7%
4 students answered no, which represents 14.8%
2 students answered sometimes, which represents 7.4%
Regarding genres, there was an improvement in the use of this literature, in the lyrical genre 7 students are reported, epic 9 students in it and dramatic 2 students. (See table No.1).
Regarding the types of documents we can say that after the activity system had been carried out there was an increase in their use: in books 25 students, brochures 10 students thesis 15 students, documents in magnetic support 10 students, serial publications 11 students. (See table No. 2).
They refer that they enjoy reading in the morning 8 students for 29.6% in the afternoon 3 students for 11.1% and in the evening 6 students for 22.2%. They also report that 8 students want to read in the library. For 29.6% in the park 4 students for 14.8 at home 7 students for 25.9% and in other places 5 students for 18.5% (See table No.3).
The students state that they feel much more motivated to read other literatures in a recreational way and not only to acquire knowledge since reading is a very valuable activity in which they have access to a large part of the culture, it facilitates the learning of a great body of knowledge and contributes to creating higher standards of behavior.
In the aspect that deals with research, the students report that they feel more satisfied since they had the opportunity to enrich their work with various bibliographies and with novel articles downloaded from the Internet. Where the incorporation of these new technologies has a motivating effect on the student, they facilitate various types of social interaction that are crucial for learning.
The titles of the papers presented:
- Evaluation of psychological premises in novice athletes. Psychological model: A criterion for the planning and direction of sports training.
Conclusions:
- Reading is considered an important part in the development of personality, where it provides better capacity and performance, as it allows:
1. Know.
2. Think.
3. Solve problems.
4. Improve habits.
5. Have greater reading ability.
- It was found that through the use of a diagnosis the interests and aspirations of the students can be known. In a general way, we can say that motivation is a determining factor when it comes to promoting reading and that the system of activities that are projected to encourage the habit of reading should favor empathic relationships between the student and the texts. Despite the fact that the work was carried out in a relatively short period, some achievements could be seen. To create the habit of reading in people requires systematic work. Since this activity in the short term is not seen as effective as such, it must have continuity and systematicity due to the importance that the reading activity requires.
Bibliography
- Alonso Becerra, Beatriz. Integration of Technologies. In Science, Innovation and Development (Havana) 5 (2): 23, 2000, Alonso Tapia, Jesús. Motivational effects of teaching activities in function. Monereo. Madrid, Grupo Santillana de Ediciones SA, 1999. 35p. Alonso Tapia, Jesús. Motivate for learning. Barcelona, Editorial Cast: Edebé, 1997.87p. García Alzola, Ernesto. Language and literature. La Habana, Editorial Pueblo y Educación, 1972. González Morales, Alfredo Diagnosis and motivational effectiveness in promoting reading. In Islands. Editorial Feijóo. Santa Clara No. 118: 73-76, Sept-Dec, 1998.Henríquez Ureña, Camila. Invitation to reading. Havana, Editorial Félix Varela, 2005.Porro Rodríguez, Migdalia. Language practice. La Habana, Editorial Pueblo y Educación, 1984. 20-24p.Setién Quesada, Emilio. Information services.City of Havana, Editorial Pueblo y Educación, 1983. 7-8p.Vizcarro, Carmen. New technologies for learning. Madrid, Ediciones Pirámides, 1998. 23 p.
Bibliographic citations:
“About boys and reading” in HIPERVÍNCULO httpwww.lectura.gov.ar www.lectura.gov.ar 04/21/01.
Annex No. 1:
. Do the bibliographic funds meet your needs?
Yes - no - sometimes ---
. What types of genres would you like to read? Mark with an X
epic ---
lyrical--
dramatic --–
When you go to the library. What type of documents do you consult?
books____
brochures____
theses____
serial publications____
documents in electronic format ______
What time of day and in what places would you like to read?
morning ___
library_____
afternoon____ home_____
night____ park_____ other____
Did you know the importance of reading?
Are you doing investigative work? On what topics
If not_____
Annex No. 2:
Table No.1 Before After
| GENRES IPO | QUANTITY | QUANTITY |
| Lyrical | 6 | 7 |
| Epic | 7 | 9 |
| Dramatic | one | two |
Table No.2 Before After
| TYPE OF DOCUMENTS | QUANTITY | QUANTITY |
| books | 2. 3 | 25 |
| Brochures | 7 | 10 |
| Thesis | 8 | fifteen |
| Magnetic holder doc | 7 | 10 |
| Publicac. serial | 8 | eleven |
Table No. 3 Before After
| HOURS | QUANTITY | % | QUANTITY | % |
| morning | 6 | 22.2 | 8 | 29.6 |
| Late | two | 7.4 | 3 | 11.1 |
| Night | 5 | 18.5 | 6 | 22.2 |
| PLACES | QUANTITY | % | QUANTITY | % |
| library | 7 | 25.9 | 8 | 29.6 |
| Park | 3 | 11.1 | 4 | 14.8 |
| House | 5 | 18.5 | 7 | 25.9 |
| Others | 3 | 11.1 | 5 | 18.5 |
