Skills in reading comprehension and critical observation: A proposal from the convergence between education and communication

Abstract

This study examines some factors related to the low level of reading comprehension that students face when entering higher education in Colombia; analyzes the direct impact of this phenomenon on their competence in critical observation of reality; and stands out the crucial intersection between education and communication as a key element to address the challenges inherent to this educational reality. The objective is to mitigate the obstacles faced by students, especially in the first semesters of higher education, through support and knowledge distribution mechanisms that align with the ways students prefer to access information. This research, carried out with the participation of 90 students in the first semester of a public university in Cali, Colombia, uses methods such as systematic observation, semistructured surveys and the expert judgment of a Delphi Panel made up of eight university professors specialized in language, education and communication. The results highlight the importance of implementing strategies that recognize and adapt to students’ information access preferences, which is revealed to be crucial to improve both critical reading and critical observation in higher education. This approach highlights the need to effectively integrate education and communication as a strategy to address the challenges present in higher academic training, promoting more participatory and meaningful learning.