"In the AI Era, Reading the Right Way Matters More Than Reading a Lot"... The Paradigm of Reading Education Is Changing

[Financial News] As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes part of everyday life, the ability to interpret and assess information independently—known as literacy—is emerging as a key source of competitiveness for the future. Against this backdrop, experts have called for a shift away from traditional education centered on reading extensively toward "reading appropriately," tailored to each child's abilities and interests.
Woongjin ThinkBig released a special discussion video on its official YouTube channel on the 18th featuring Michael Yoon, CEO of Woongjin ThinkBig, and Hanyang University Professor Cho Byeong-young, a leading Korean authority on literacy. The discussion, hosted by announcer Lee Jung-min as a representative parent moderator, explored the fundamental value of reading in the AI era and effective ways for parents to guide their children's reading.
The two experts said that uniform reading instruction based on recommended book lists or grade-level standards, without considering a child's actual abilities, can instead lead children to avoid reading. Michael Yoon noted, "If you ignore a child's level and force the child into the framework of their grade, they will run into a barrier posed by written words." He added, "It is important for children to read at an appropriate level, enjoy the experience, and build a sense of achievement." Professor Cho Byeong-young likewise advised parents to avoid placing excessive reading demands on children, saying, "Children can properly absorb books only when the difficulty and complexity are within a level they can handle."
The discussion also emphasized the need to turn reading from an obligatory "homework assignment" into a voluntary "pleasure." Professor Cho explained that repeatedly reading books in a particular field can be a natural process through which children expand their tastes and interests. Michael Yoon said, "The best way to know a child's interests is to ask the child directly," adding, "The key is not a quantitative approach focused on reading a lot, but the experience of carrying curiosity from one book to another."
The importance of reading education is considered even greater in the AI era. Michael Yoon stressed, "To use the countless answers produced by AI correctly, people need a solid foundation that enables them to think and make judgments independently." He added, "Reading is the most powerful tool for making knowledge truly one's own and thinking deeply."
Reflecting this concern, Woongjin ThinkBig introduced KRS (Korea Reading System), a personalized reading-development system for preschool and elementary-school children, based on more than 40 years of accumulated reading data and expertise. The system is designed to analyze children's reading abilities, preferences, and temperaments from multiple perspectives and provide individually tailored solutions.
Starting with this discussion, Woongjin ThinkBig plans to release Professor Cho's standalone reading-education series sequentially in October. It will also continue providing tailored content to address parents' practical concerns.

[email protected] Kim Man-ki Reporter