Science of Reading: The Podcast S10 E9: From research to reality: Breaking down comprehension barriers, with Phil Capin, Ph.D.
Jan 14, 2026
In this engaging discussion, Phil Capin, Ph.D., a literacy researcher at Harvard, shares his insights on reading comprehension. He highlights the gap between research and classroom practices, emphasizing the importance of knowledge building and effective instructional strategies. Capin advocates for the active involvement of students in discussions and stresses the power of writing in enhancing comprehension. He introduces a framework for reading instruction and discusses how domain knowledge is crucial for understanding, revealing how strategies should support rather than dominate the learning process.
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Tutoring Sparked A Career Shift
- Phil Capin describes tutoring Ramon, a student who gained confidence and reading skill through targeted support.
- That experience motivated his career shift from teacher to researcher focused on scaling effective literacy practices.
Comprehension Is A Constellation Of Skills
- Reading comprehension is a broad, variable skill, not a single narrow ability.
- It emerges from a constellation of competencies like word reading, vocabulary, and background knowledge.
Purpose And Context Shape Understanding
- Comprehension depends on text, reader, purpose, and sociocultural context.
- A reader's purpose (e.g., scanning a recipe) dramatically changes how they comprehend.
