Students aren’t reading the way we expect, and many faculty are feeling the strain. In this episode, James Lang, author of Small Teaching and Distracted, unpacks what’s really behind the decline in reading and what we can do about it. 

From the impact of distraction and shifting reading habits to the often-overlooked need to teach students how to read in our disciplines, this conversation blends insight with practical strategies. You’ll hear how to scaffold reading, build meaningful accountability, and create conditions where students can engage more deeply with texts.

If reading feels like an uphill battle in your course, this episode offers a more hopeful—and human—way forward.

Guest Bio

James M. Lang is Professor of Practice at the University of Notre Dame’s Kaneb Center for Teaching Excellence and Emeritus Professor of English at Assumption University. He is the author of seven books, including Small Teaching, Distracted, and Write Like You Teach. A longtime columnist for The Chronicle of Higher Education and a highly sought-after speaker, Lang focuses on practical, research-based strategies to improve teaching, learning, and student engagement.

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