As part of the Development Lexicon Project study, scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin are currently studying how words are read by people ranging from first-graders to seventy-year-olds. The researchers are focusing on three different characteristics of a word: its length, its frequency of use within the language, and its … Continue reading “Targeting the Young to Promote Adult Literacy”
Visualization and its Role in Reading
Visualization is a large part of the learning process. We picture how a word looks or mentally “see” how a character looks as he is described by the author. But what if you weren’t able to visualize? Some people can’t. The condition is called “aphantasia,” and we’re only beginning to understand how this affects the … Continue reading “Visualization and its Role in Reading”
The 9 Inalienable Rights of the Reader
You may not have thought about it before, but as a reader, you do have rights. These rights are just as valid for you as for people who engage in other forms of pleasure, and sometimes more so. Don’t be afraid of the consequences – they’ll take care of themselves for you. Read through the … Continue reading “The 9 Inalienable Rights of the Reader”
Speed Reading vs Reading Efficiency
Some people claim that speed reading is impossible – that’s not exactly true. If by “speed reading” you mean reading at 2,000 or more words per minute (wpm) with 100% comprehension on all types of text, then, no, it’s not possible unless you have a photographic memory with perfect recall. Most of us don’t fall … Continue reading “Speed Reading vs Reading Efficiency”
Common Core and Vocabulary Instruction
What is the best way to teach vocabulary to young students? The creators of the United States’ Common Core curriculum indicate that how vocabulary is introduced is the key to students’ success and that using the real world as context for that introduction can be highly beneficial. Nell K. Duke, a professor of literacy, language, … Continue reading “Common Core and Vocabulary Instruction”
The Effect of Librarians on Reading Success
If you’ve gone to school, you’ve almost certainly asked a librarian for help finding a book for one of your classes. In my formative years, the librarian at my local library was a staple in my life, recommending books, asking me questions about what I liked and didn’t like, what I thought of the last … Continue reading “The Effect of Librarians on Reading Success”
Sleep’s Role in Memory Formation and Its Effect on Reading
Sleep plays a crucial role in learning in general and reading in specific. WebMD reports that researchers believe sleep affects both learning and memory formation in two ways: 1) An individual’s ability to focus on reading material or lecture presentations to learn efficiently depends on adequate sleep, and 2) Cementing a memory so that it … Continue reading “Sleep’s Role in Memory Formation and Its Effect on Reading”
California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) Students Improve Reading Skills with AceReader
California State University, Sacramento used the AceReader online reading efficiency program for their “Reading for Speed & Efficiency” course during the 2015/2016 school year. Of the students who took both pre and post-course assessment tests, 78% showed an average improvement of 86% with their Effective Reading Rate (ERR) scores. The ERR is determined by taking the … Continue reading “California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) Students Improve Reading Skills with AceReader”
Motivating Your Students to Read
One of the big questions in education today, especially in reading, is how do you motivate your students to learn? How do you get them to put in the necessary attention and hours to master the subject? One way is to lead by example. If the students are working on a silent exercise or are … Continue reading “Motivating Your Students to Read”
Want to Live Longer? Read a Book – or a Lot of Them
It’s generally accepted these days that reading a book will help you relieve stress, and it may actually make you a more empathetic person as you learn to connect with the various characters. But there’s more. A new study published in August 2016 in the online journal Social Science & Medicine determined that reading more … Continue reading “Want to Live Longer? Read a Book – or a Lot of Them”