prof. ruth ronan. top academic problems the two greatest problems college students face today are...

Prof. Ruth Ronan

TOP ACADEMIC PROBLEMS

The two greatest problems college students face today are college math classes and reading comprehension.

Question?

Describe what you do to increase reading

comprehension.

SIX PACK FOR SUCCESSFUL READING

The material you’re An open mind Pencils

reading

A highlighter A tablet or loose-leaf paper A dictionary

INCREASE YOUR CONCENTRATION

Reduce outside distractions Reduce internal distractions

Fatigue Daydreaming

Set a reading goal (amount and time) Take short breaks every 20 minutes Take notes as you read

ACTIVE VS. PASSIVE READERS

Active readers Enjoy reading Visualize while reading Approach text with an open mind

Passive readers Just want to get reading over with Only read when required to do so

BUILD YOUR VOCABULARY

Stop and look up words you don’t know

Keep a list of new words Study your vocabulary list Work on crossword or other word

puzzles

FIXATION

Your eyes stop on an average of 2.5 words per fixation

Practice reading in phrases:

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR READING TIME

Reduce distractions in environment Read at the best time of day for

concentration Read with a healthy snack Read in sections and take breaks Form questions from material Look up unfamiliar words Manage your time to allow enough time

for reading

Question?

Why is identifying the topic of a paragraph

important?

IDENTIFYING THE TOPIC (D. Seyler, 2001)

The topic is the subject of the paragraph

“Who or what is the paragraph about?”

General enough to cover all details in the paragraph

Specific enough to exclude related topics in other paragraphs

Paragraph Topics

Exclude extra information Note in margins the paragraph topic

Question?

Why is it beneficial under the SQ3R

method to “Survey” and “Question” prior to jumping into your

readings?

Using SQ3RSurveyQuestionRead Recite Review

SQ3R

Survey: Look over the entire chapter, headings and subheadings. Visual learners will follow the hierarchy of the chapter structure well. Look for intro and summary paragraphs. Don’t read; identify major points in the chapter.

Question : What is this chapter about? What will it tell me? What is this section about? What questions can be made up from this information?

SQ3R

Read: Actively read at a pace you’re comfortable with, trying to answer your previously formulated questions.

Recite/write : Write down or say out loud your interpretation of that section (your own paraphrased summary); you’ll remember this better than the book’s version.

Review: by testing yourself on your own key phrases and summaries you’ve developed in the previous steps. If you struggle with a portion, concentrate or re-reading that section.

Question?

When you are reading, what information do you feel is important to highlight as you read along, if you highlight at all?

Highlighting (Reviewing)

What can you make into a question? Avoid highlighting too much

READING THE CHAPTER Read the entire paragraph before

marking anything Identify and highlight the topic or

thesis statement if stated Mark key phrases Don’t highlight too much Stop to look up unfamiliar

vocabulary Make margin notes

Question?

How can outlining a chapter help with

comprehension and review?

Outlining

Highlights primary topics Provides a visual of relationships

between topics

Question?

What is your personal definition of “critical

reading?”

Critical Reading

Considering material with an inquisitive eye

Question what you read; research can verify

CHAPTER REFLECTION

Approach text with an open mind Free your mind to focus on reading Read with your “six-pack” Mark and look up unknown words Make and review a new vocabulary list Use SQ3R and Bloom’s Taxonomy Get a tutor if needed The more you read, the more skilled you’ll

be

Unit #7 Seminar (next week)

CJ Reporter Read Chapter 1 Attend Seminar Take a Break Continue working on Interview

Project

Any Questions

Please Email me, contact me during office hours or leave me a message on the virtual office page.

Have a wonderful week!