An investigation into the factors which impinge on the reading comprehension abilities of first year human ecology students at UWC

Abstract

The study deals with the reading comprehension abilities of first year Human Ecology students as they attempt to interpret commercial patterns. A commercial pattern is a retail pattern which is mass-produced in different sizes by various manufacturers and consists of pattern pieces ( from which fabric is cut) and an instruction sheet which explains how the fabric pieces should be attached in the construction of a garment. People who wish to use a commercial pattern to construct a garment but who cannot properly interpret the instructions of these patterns, (even if they are able to read in the English language), will not be successful in their venture of clothing construction. The study is an attempt to answer two research statements: 1. Language competence plays a determining role in the comprehension abilities of first year Human Ecology students. 2. Prior knowledge and experience play a determining role in the comprehension abilities of first year Human Ecology students. This study is aimed at highlighting the importance of intervention in respect of mediated Learning Experience (MLE). This intervention must occur in a teaching-Iearning situation which fosters active learning so that students become autonomous, independent and critical thinkers. The MLE should include an assessment of the learner's level of development in terms of language and the amount and level of prior knowledge of the content. Thus, Vygotsky's theory relating to the Zone of ProximaL Development, the Language Education Theory, Feuerstein's theory on MLE and the Schema theory are key elements of the study.