A grownup student must have the ability to read a report or a chapter and understand the material on their own, outside of the classroom. One of the greatest methods to ensure that this happens effectively is to take notes while reading, writing down the ideas and thoughts inspired by what's being read.
Most students are taught to highlight while reading. This can be somewhat useful, but simply highlighting does little to improve the comprehension of what's being read. Highlighting is a fruitful approach to finding a passage later, as is underlining and even making comments in the margin. However, none of they are as effective as taking notes.
The Purpose of Taking Notes While Reading
The reason the student is reading something is, usually, to achieve an comprehension of something that has been previously not understood, or at the very least to improve the prevailing comprehension of the material. Often, the reading assigned to an adult student is more condense and saturated in information than reading done in grade school. Thus, the reading can be more difficult.
The purpose of taking notes while reading is two-fold. On the main one hand, the student is wanting to understand what is being said, and to incorporate that understanding in a more substantial picture of the course or goal of the reading. This purpose implies that the student must understand not merely the content but also the structure of what's being read. By taking notes while reading, this structure can often become clearer, more easily understood. On the other hand, the student does not need to see the material more than is necessary; all things considered, the student is working within a period frame that can sometimes put constraints on the total amount of time spent in the reading. Having to see the material more times than is necessary can be a waste of time. This does not show that the student will read the material just once; in many cases, multiple readings are needed. But readings shouldn't be wasted. By taking notes, the material can be understood faster and more effectively.
How exactly to Take Reading Notes
Unlike the classroom, the student has the chance to see the material more than once. This fact implies that the strategy of taking notes can be more deliberate; the student can take some time needed to produce some structured notes, as opposed to utilizing a approach to note-taking that minimizes time. Because of this, probably the most effective approach to taking notes while reading is to use an outline. By creating an outline, the structure of the material can be more easily understood.MyReadingManga
The outline should really be constructed as a sequence of layers, as opposed to hoping to get the entire outline done with one pass. The first layer should really be on the basis of the structure of the reading; if section headers are given, these could provide a easily obtainable initial structure. Within each section, first thing to find out is the objective of the section. Is this section putting forth a disagreement? Is it explaining a concept? Providing an example? Once the reason is determined, this would be written under the section heading.
Following the section's purpose is determined, the reader then needs to put in the details. I are finding that carrying this out twice and comparing the results creates the most effective notes. Browse the section through, creating an outline on the basis of the reading. Following the section is performed, the student normally has a much better comprehension of what that element of reading is doing. Then reading the section another time, creating a fresh outline provides a fuller understanding. Whether this second reading is performed just after the foremost is entirely up to the student. With particularly difficult sections, having a break involving the readings provides a fuller perspective on the reading, creating a better outline.
Once the outline is created, it must be reviewed for completeness. Is anything in the outline unclear, confusing? In that case, then your student has two options. Either he can reread the material, buying clearer understanding, or a question can be created for the following class, looking a clearer understanding from the instructor.
Reading Technical Material
This technique is most effective in material where claims are made and supported, such as in economics, design principles, or surveys. Technical writing, such as mathematics and electronics, desire a slightly different approach. The important thing sections for technical material in many cases are not the sections given by the reading material but the formulas being presented. Once the formulas are presented, then your outline should provide first a reason of what's in the formula then a minumum of one example; more examples are useful if the material isn't clearly understood the first time.
Practice makes Perfect
If you have any academic activity which improves with practice, it's reading and taking notes. Initially, the student will discover the endeavor difficult and fraught with uncertainty. Working together with others, comparing notes and examples, can be of immense help when learning how exactly to take notes on reading material. Whilst the student practices, however, she'll notice a remarkable improvement. As in a number of other efforts, persistence in reading and taking notes pays off.
