Evaluation of intellicide and neo-illiteracy in communication and language students: an action-research approach

The research focused on the difficulties in reading comprehension and writing competence among students enrolled in Communication and Language I and II courses at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala. The growing influence of audiovisual media on literate culture has led to a deterioration in reading skills, a phenomenon analyzed under the concepts of "intellicide" and "neo-illiteracy." The objective was to identify the causes of these deficiencies and propose effective solutions through Alfred North Whitehead's action-research model. Techniques such as participant observation, worksheets, and logs were used, applied in a synchronous class environment. The results indicate an improvement in reading comprehension following the implementation of specific strategies, which led to the creation of an exercise workbook that facilitates processes such as pre-reading, re-reading, and contextualization. It is concluded that the integration of these pedagogical tools is crucial for mitigating reading deficiencies in university settings, and a broader adoption in other institutions is recommended.