Should students choose what they like to read in class?

Yes, I think students should be able to choose their own reading material, because this means that they are much more likely to enjoy what's in front of them, and they will read at home more when this is the case, too. Being forced to read uninteresting books can put some young people off reading for life, and that is such a shame, because reading is very much there to be enjoyed by us all. So long as the book is suitable for the age of the student, I see no problem in letting them read whatever they like.
 
Life is full of unpredictable turn of events and plot twists not all individuals are prepared or is willing to face if given the chance. The same thing goes for learning. It is nice for a professor or teacher to allow students to read what they want over what is academically assessed to be worth reading. As an educator, it is a strategy I also employ to get the attention of my students, however limitation should be set to make sure that reading material used is good for academic growth. In case of books demanded by teacher to read even if students doesn't liked it, I stand upon the belief that it should also be imposed. Classroom learning should not only teach us to embrace what we like, among others it should also teach us that in our journey through life we will have to encounter situations we don't want to to be stuck but needs to face. A book we don't like represent just like that, when our students become employees or bosses in the future, they will undeniably face people and situations they don't like. If they are not taught to embrace life happiness and its shortcomings then chances are they'll be stuck in misery compared to those who knows how to deal in both negative and positive situations.
 
it doesn't really matter nowadays because people in this era only read to practice their reading skills and speaking skills. so I think it doesn't really matter but it would be great if the readers had the chance to pick which one they want to read.
 
I do think students should be able to choose their own books. Students will have an easier time absorbing information they find interesting. They will also put more effort into something they enjoy. For instance, I hate reading poetry. I don't like or understand poetry. I will rush through the poetry. I'll start making things up when writing an essay about poetry just to finish the essay. When I sincerely enjoy and understand what I'm reading, I will put the time and effort into my work.
 
I believe students can choose what they like to read in class but should be limited. In the example of the forum starter, there are 200 books to choose from. So if there are 30 students, there is a possibility that there will be 30 different book reports from 30 students assuming they all selected unique books. This is a major challenge for the teacher as he or she needs to be familiar with the 30 books too. What I have in mind is to limit the selection, for example, 10 books for 30 students. With that, there is a chance that students have common book selection. Having a common book selection encourages discussion in a class. In addition to that, the teacher will also be able to compare his or her students comprehension and promote more activities such as debates, etc.
 
Yeah, they should. But sadly, the modern education system wouldn't let us being too autonomous. I hope in the future the entire system gets changed.
 
I think students should be given the freedom to choose to read what they like, and moreover, learn as well. But I would suppose it would create a mess in our education system which has a lot of holes in it. I'm all for "free" studying.
 
For younger children, yes. One of the main reasons why some children don't like to read is because they have been forced to read books that they do not like. If you let them read books that they like, you will instill a positive mindset towards reading and they will look forward to reading more books.

Later on when they love reading, you can give them specific books (that still aligns with their interests) to develop their comprehension skills.
 
I think this could only work if each of the learners would make a small discussion about what he/she have read. This way, it will not only test if that student really read the book but also to share his knowledge with everyone. If not, this will be a hard task for the teacher in order to discuss different books in just one class as an assignment.
 
I went to school in the 1970s, Catholic schools, Canada, so it was a strange mix of old-school Catholic discipline crossed with ideas of the "new education" creeping in.

We were given specific books to read in later grades, but in our introductory grades of literature, we we're assigned "book reports" These being; we chose a book, read it, and gave a presentation to the class of our thoughts on it. I suppose that is quite liberal for the times, possibly just lazy, "throw-away" lesson planning on the teacher's part, but I managed to take up these assignments as an experiment in "gaming the rules"

I remember the first one I chose was "The Medium Is The Massage" by Marshall McLuhan. My parents were academics, had a large library and it was there for me to read, but I remember distinctly choosing it because it was largely composed of pictures, so in my young mind I was having one over on the teacher by reading a book that actually required very little reading.

I maybe should have failed the exercise but, I actually understood the concepts and delivered an acceptable presentation. I'm pretty sure the teacher was mostly surprised a 10 year old kid would even have any idea who McLuhan was let alone grasp the concepts he laid out.

The next time we were assigned "book reports" I brought in "Johnathan Livingston Seagull"

This time the teacher actually said to me; "you're pushing your luck kid"

what can I say? I was a bit of a Muppet. Still, I'm still a little amazed how you can manage to learn something despite, if not even for, your best efforts not to.

I advocate giving kids more choice and autonomy.
 
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For me, yes it is a good idea because when I once observed a class, I noticed that they are not fond of reading but when I let them read the book that they wanted they read and understood it very well. It is also an strategy to get the learners or the kids attention nowadays but you should do it creatively.
 
a "Happy Medium" might be creating lists of approved titles that the student can choose from. This way educators are ensured the student will get access to quality literature, the teachers can have a familiarity with the subject matter and the students have some freedom to select something they feel may appeal to their tastes. There's really no limit to great titles and always something for everybody in the library.

A teacher of mine in high-school had cards posted above the chalk board and all around the class room, titles, with author, of great works of literature. A simple device, sort of advertisements for reading, it proved very effective for I went on to read many of the books suggested. I am not sure I would have ever opened Lord Jim or Far From The Madding Crowd had I not spent hours gazing at the titles and wondering what the story might be like...

"So many books, so little time" a quote attributed to Frank Zappa, of all people, but one of my favorites.
 
I think both options have advantages and disadvantages. It's up for the teacher to guide the student, whether the students choose the books on their own or if the teacher assigns them.
 
It is nice to have a variety and also to have choices. Personally, I think it is nice choose what you want to read but I also realize that we must venture out on our dislikes and try something new. We will never know if we like something or not if we don't try it out.
 
I think yes, students should choose what they like to read in class. But, not to choose something that hasn't any significant value. I think that teacher should recommend students ,for example, 100 books, and then they should choose among those books which ones they want to read. I believe that way, learning productivity would be much higher.
 
For me, students choosing what they want to read is like spoiling them. students should follow what the school tells them what to read and follow.
 
I think they should be listen what the teachers instructions. Because if they choosing what they want they just read what is interesting for them.
 
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