POOR READING HABITS
Captivate their interest through Comic
Reluctance in reading is common among youths, although public schools in Wilayah Persekutuan Malaysia has one of the highest percentages of enrolment of 95% in terms of participating in after school activities as reported in 2018 Malaysian Education Statistics(MOE, 2018), it is clear that students engage in socially active activities as it offers more collaboration and interaction between peers.
A journal of Multimodality in Malaysia School by (Rajendra, 2015) mentioned that multimodality of pictorial, text and discussion approach in the classroom can be a source of creativity for both teachers and students. This combination allows for creativity and flexibility in teacher-student interaction and can enhance the learning environment, suggesting that comics may play a role in engaging and shaping student attitudes in a positive way. Through Constructivism theory by (Vygotsky, 1978) mentions that it helps engage and motivate the students by making them take a more active role in their own learning process, based on the idea that learners must be engaged in social interaction and communication. Focusing on the combination of text and image can be innovatively combined to develop an interest in reading, encourage interaction and learning in the classroom.
The idea of something being art-based as well as literary is baffling, taken less seriously as a work of literature. People were hesitant to believe that a comic book could contain literary elements. We see colourful images, and very few words, in each little box, viewed in order for them to make sense. The earliest examples of Malaysian comics date back to the 1930s, often regarded by many as “throwaway” have arisen as perhaps an alternative approach to encourage reading in young readers.
Reading offers a productive approach to improve certain comprehension skills and mental development. Even with the rise of the digital era, reading is the most essential skill to acquire knowledge. Reading introduces new ideas and concepts, cultivates creative thinking skills and develops a persons’ character.
Influencing one to read one book is simple but broadening the reader’s interests and desire to pick up the next book is fundamental. Without keen interest, it is impossible to encourage students to read more or anything other than a school’s textbook. It is of the utmost importance that motivation is key in reading and that students can initiate the steps toward reading beyond the classroom. Educators should always encourage their students to read, with means of providing their students with interesting or alternative reading materials.
That introduces the availability of said reading materials and its lack thereof. With the rise of the digital era, the existence of soulless chain bookstores and libraries become unfavourable with their dwindling standards. Technologies advancement in reading has made an impact in recent years, with users having reading devices primarily tablets and smartphones are tools that people use to quickly access their e-books at the touch of a button. However, affordability leave many inaccessible to the beneficial internet-enabled devices that live beyond the financial capabilities of millions.