Social Learning Amplified hosted by Eric Mazur Why Reading Still Matters in the Age of AI
Jun 11, 2025
In this discussion, Jonathan Malesic, a writer and educator known for his work on burnout, dives into the evolving role of reading and writing in higher education amid the rise of generative AI. He highlights the challenge of maintaining student engagement with deep reading in a tech-saturated environment. Malesic shares strategies for boosting reading confidence, the potential of video to enhance learning, and how AI can challenge traditional writing practices. Ultimately, they explore the need for intrinsic motivation and intellectual growth in academia.
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Start Small with Book Assignments
- Reintroduce long book assignments starting with manageable numbers to build student's reading stamina and confidence.
- Use guided reading sessions in class to provide support and demonstrate feasibility of reading whole books.
Build Reading Confidence in Class
- Build students' confidence in reading by reading together in class with support nearby.
- Demonstrate that they can succeed in handling long texts, which encourages more reading outside class.
Attention Challenges in Reading
- Attention problems in reading often arise when encountering difficult obstacles, causing distractions.
- The abundance of digital distractions today worsens this natural tendency to lose focus during challenging reading.