Development of Reading Skills in Natural Sciences: Strategies and Approaches.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47230/ra.v9i1.155Keywords:
reading skills, Natural Sciences, reading comprehension, scientific literacy, critical thinking, reading strategiesAbstract
Reading skills constitute a fundamental competency for meaningful learning in Natural Sciences, as they enable students to understand, interpret, and analyze scientific information presented in different formats. In this field of knowledge, reading extends beyond the comprehension of written texts and includes the interpretation of graphs, tables, diagrams, schemes, and other visual resources that form part of scientific language. The purpose of this article is to analyze the importance of developing reading skills in Natural Sciences and to identify pedagogical strategies and approaches that promote their enhancement within educational contexts. The study was conducted through a documentary and bibliographic methodology based on the review of scientific literature related to reading comprehension, scientific literacy, and disciplinary reading. The findings reveal that strong reading competencies facilitate the understanding of complex scientific concepts, the development of critical thinking, and the ability to make evidence-based decisions. Furthermore, explicit instruction in reading strategies, the use of authentic and relevant texts, and the promotion of critical reading were identified as effective tools for improving students’ academic performance. It is concluded that strengthening reading skills in Natural Sciences significantly contributes to the development of scientific literacy, enabling students to better understand the world around them and to participate in an informed and responsible manner in a society increasingly shaped by scientific and technological advances.
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