Reading Across the Disciplines: Enhancing Your Courses with Reading/Study Strategies

Presenter: Trish Grega, Readingafprg@uaa.alaska.edu, 786-6859

College Preparatory & Developmental Studies Department, UAA

CAFÉ Best Practices Seminar SeriesFebruary 24, 2006

AgendaI.  Introduction –

What Does the Research Say About College Reading Demands?

What Can We Do to Help Students Read Textbooks?

II. Reading/Study Skill Strategies Before Reading

During Reading

After Reading

III. Voluntary Surveys

Problem Posting

• Think, pair, share

What New Students May Not Know…

• Writing in textbooks• Study time required• Preparing for class• Notetaking• Campus Resources• Professors were students

once

What Does the Research Say About College Reading?

• Engage with textbook• Explicit instruction• Modeling• Practice• Directed Activities

What Can We Do to Help Students Read Textbooks?

• Activate background knowledge• Frontload• Construct meaning • Engage with text• Read strategically – 3 stages

Strategies Before Reading

• Preview• KWL• SQ4R

Strategies During Reading

• Notetaking– Marking– Cornell Notetaking– Mapping

• Conversation with Text• Journaling• Reciprocal Teaching

Strategies After Reading

• Student Generated Discussion Questions– Knowledge level (what the

passage says)– Comprehension level (what it

means)– Application level (how it

relates to other knowledge

• Text Search/Quote Sharing• Assessment and Review

Summary of Effective Strategies for Students to Use for Textbook Reading

• Answer instructor-provided questions • Ask and answer student-generated questions • Produce an outline or concept map • Write summaries of each section in the chapter • Use the SQ4R method: Survey the text, formulate questions, read,

record notes, recite, reflect • Write notes that elaborate on the textbook:

– a. Cornell method: one column for key words and concepts, a second column for comments, summaries. Useful for comprehension and later recall.

– b. Double-entry method: one column/page for copied passage, adjacent column/page for personal reflections on the passage; useful for engaging with the text.

– c. Textbook annotation processes

• Write brief summaries in the text margins • List ideas (causes, effects, characteristics, etc.) • Identify examples in the margin (write “EX”) • Write key information on graphs and charts • Predict potential test questions • Call attention to confusion with a ? in the margin • Underline key words

Wrap Up

Important points?

Squares with your experience?

Still rolling around in your head?

Reading and Study Skills Campus Resources

• College Preparatory and Developmental Studies Department– PRPE A070 Basic Reading– PRPE A076 Reading Strategies– PRPE A 107 Introduction to College Reading– PRPE A105 Intro to College Study Skills– PRPE A054 Learning Strategies– PRPE A075 Speed Reading

• Advising and Testing Center– GUID A150 Survival Skills for College Students– Workshops