Faster and More Effective Reading Courtney Hopf Academic Skills Adviser
ASK WEEK Pathways to Success 18-22 November 2013
Session Outline • Discuss challenges of ‘reading for a degree’ • Discover your base reading speed
• Learn the science behind how you read and how to apply it to become faster • Learn six basic speed reading techniques • Learn how to incorporate good notemaking and organisational practice to improve retention
Reading challenges at uni • Fast readers? Slow readers? • What techniques have you evolved to cope? • Careful searching Newer texts/articles over older Books in multiple editions Relevance to immediate goals • Selective reading Abstracts, indexes, introductions… • All this is good, but you can be more successful by formalising your process
Your reading baseline Using the handout, read at your usual speed - try not to be nervous and do not try to read quicker than usual. Take note of how far you got and record the number.
What stops us reading effectively? What are some barriers to fast reading? • Sub-vocalisation • Re-reading • Reading every word Note: This is because this is how we were taught to read. But the brain can actually take in information faster than the eyes.
Reading eye movements Activity: Watch your partner’s eyes as they read first at their normal speed, and then as they try to read faster. What do you notice? • The eye has to be still in order to see clearly.
• The eye moves in jumps and stops • The duration of the jumps and the length of the stops varies considerably. • The eyes often jump backwards as well as forwards.
Reading in groups is key
Four techniques for reading faster 1. Take in groups of words at a time.
2. Make your fixations (stops) shorter. 3. Keep moving forward. 4. Keep your eye on the page.
1-minute read Beginning where you left off, use the four techniques to try to read faster for one minute – then estimate your comprehension.
How the eye works
Technique #5: Peripheral vision • Your central area of vision extends both horizontally and vertically • You could therefore take in most of a line with a single glance. • As you become faster you will be able to take in two or more lines with one fixation. • You don’t have to read every letter, every word, or even every sentence!
Activity: Roll your eyes
Technique #6: Use a Guide • This helps move your eye forward and avoid skipping back • Helps you to move your eyes along faster • Will help you to limit the number of fixations that you make • Encourages the eye to take in more words with each fixation. Do NOT: use the edge of a piece of paper and go line-by-line
1-minute read Beginning where you left off, use all six techniques to try to read faster – then estimate your comprehension.
Incorporating it into a process
Speed reading should be just one technique in a toolbox you use for different situations.
Incorporating it into a process Why are you reading?
Survey Preview Question Read Repeat Review
Blurb, index, contents list Set goals for your reading Speed read Read for comprehension, notes
Are your questions answered?
A sample notes page
Sample mindmaps
Other elements to be aware of Distractions - what tends to distract you? Ways to improve concentration • Make the best of your environment • Take regular breaks - recall decreases over time without them
• Set time targets • Try music if that works for you
Reducing subvocalisation • Hum softly • Gently bite your tongue
• Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth • Listen to ambient music
It will take practice
You don’t need to read 800 words a minute. Just improving by a little bit, and making time spent reading more effective can do wonders.
Summary • Reduce the factors that are barriers to fast reading • Take in groups of words instead of single ones • Use a guide • Practice and you will improve Follow a process for best retention: Survey Preview Speed Read Read Review
ASK WEEK Pathways to Success Find these slides (and much more) on Blackboard
Organisations -> Academic Skills -> Workshop Presentations -> ASK Week Spring 2013