Mary Dimon (1991) asked developmental reading specialists questions about
the definition of reading and about their courses. How would you answer
these? M. Maxwell
What Is Your Definition of Reading
I. It is a behavior to be reduced to parts
which are then combined.
2. Depends on rules of oral language so they
may be applied to print. As readers anticipate
meanings, they construct new meaining.
3. An activity of reconstructing experience,
reading brings meaning to print, so reading
aloud confirms reading has happened.
4. Generic form of behavior, creating
meanings through senss modalities and
totally dependent on experience.
5. A linear activity in which learning to read
comes before reading to learn. It has three
separate stages: association, consolidating,
and reading to learn.
How would you define a college reading course?
1. Legitimate subject for a college catalog.
2. A part of study skills.
3. Dependent on the subject matter to which
it is applied so should be offered with a
specific course or as part of tutoring.
4. Dependent on a person's ability to think
and problem-solve so should be included in
psychology or physics course.
5. A combination of 1 and 2
6. A combination of 3 and 4.
Which policy changes would you suggest to
support to accommodate a budget reduction:
1. Decrease reading courses and increase
tutoring.
2. Offer only study skills courses
3. Cut reading courses in half and use content
faculty to implement their courses with
special help for poor readers.
4. Eliminate all study skills classes, keep one
reading cource and substitute tutor-
supervised study groups.
Other? 
