Student Learning Center 2010 1

Text Book Reading First-year Brockport

students report almost unanimously that they are overwhelmed with both the volume and difficulty of their textbook reading assignments.

Early Warning Advisement Survey

Student Learning Center 2010 2

Text Book Reading• Read but do not recall • Read part of assigned work• Don’t read at all

Student Learning Center 2010 3

Text Book ReadingWhy don’t students read? No quizzes on the reading. Professor never talks about the

reading assignment. Assignments too long.

Student Learning Center 2010 4

Text Book ReadingWhy should students read? Supplement class lecture and notes. Prepare for class note-taking and

listening. Build on previous knowledge. Read to learn, write to learn, talk to learn. A positive correlation between reading

and overall success in class

Student Learning Center 2010 5

Text Book ReadingGrade Level of Accomplishment Quality Points

A Highest Level of Work 4.00

A- 3.67

B+ 3.33

B Better than Average Work 3.00

B- 2.67

C+ 2.33

C Average Work 2.00

C- 1.67

D+ 1.33

D 1.00

D- Minimum Level of Passing Work 0.67

E Failing Work 0.00

Student Learning Center 2010 6

Text Book ReadingSemester HonorsDean’s List = 3.40-3.69Dean’s with Honors = 3.70-3.99President’s List = 4.0

Student Learning Center 2010 7

Text Book ReadingGoals for Reading

Identify the most important points quickly Distinguish between main ideas and

details Comprehend information quickly Sort and situate information into memory Review for exams efficiently

Student Learning Center 2010 8

Text Book Reading

Take out a textbook.

Student Learning Center 2010 9

Text Book ReadingSo Many Textbooks. . .• Natural sciences• Foreign languages• Math• Literature• History• Primary sources

Student Learning Center 2010 10

Text Book ReadingSurvey the Text as a Whole• title, author, date• preface, introduction, purpose, thesis,

approach• table of contents, topics, subtopics,

organization• chapter highlights, summaries, study

questions, appendices

Student Learning Center 2010 11

Text Book ReadingSurvey an Individual Assignment• Title• Introduction• Sub-headings• Topic sentences• Visual aids• Chapter summary, discussion questions, etc.

Student Learning Center 2010 12

Text Book ReadingSample a paragraph to assess the following:• Your Interest & concentration span• The rate at which facts are presented• The difficulty of the text

Student Learning Center 2010 13

Text Book Reading

Schedule Reading Time & Place Break the reading assignment into

small, manageable chunks of text. Schedule reading time for each

chunk. Identify reading location.

Student Learning Center 2010 14

Text Book Reading

Questions What do you already know about

this topic? What information do you hope to

learn? What do you think the author might

say?

Student Learning Center 2010 15

Text Book Reading

Form Questions Turn each of the main points found in

the introduction, sub-headings, topic sentences, or summary into a question.

Use these questions to guide your reading.

Student Learning Center 2010 16

Text Book Reading

Read Read the assignment you have

surveyed, using your questions as a guide.

Student Learning Center 2010 17

Text Book ReadingTake Notes & Talk • Restate the main points and supporting details

in you own words while you read.• Mark the text to indicate main points,

definitions, characteristics, examples, and conclusions.

• Use numbers to indicate important series of information.

Student Learning Center 2010 18

Text Book Reading

Review Notes & Check Knowledge• Review your notes, outline, or marked

portions of the text • Test your comprehension.

Student Learning Center 2010 19

Text Book ReadingSummary• Note the differences in textbooks from

discipline to discipline. • Preview assignment.• Schedule reading time.• Form questions.• Write and talk to improve comprehension• Test your understanding of information