advertise a course
book
how to put in print
increasing reading rate
newspaper ad
power reading
speed reading
Would you take a course in speed reading with comprehension?
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
June 13, 2009 8:18am CST
Actually, it is called increasing reading rate and with comprehension is usually referred to as power reading. Since I'm a certified reading teacher and I have taught increasing reading rate, I can offer it as a course where I live. If such a course were offered would you take one?
I'm just wondering because I need to put what courses I'm willing to teach in a newspaper. I also need to figure out how to write it briefly and effectively.
On the one hand, I love to get lost in a book. Imagine the scenes, take my time, imagine how every word is said. But on the other hand, I've had to take tests that required pretty fast speed and comprehension. Plus I've been given job manuals including the laws of my state and expected to read and be able to discuss or ask questions about the application (or how it works in real life, etc.)of the 100 pages per night that I read for training.
So there is a time and a place for different types of reading and reading rates (speeds). If I hadn't taught myself to read faster (increased my reading rate)and with comprehension, I would not have been able to pass my National Teachers Exams.
So what would you think of a course like that? Would it be for you? How would you present it for print in a paper?
4 responses
@okkidokitokki (1736)
• United States
13 Jun 09
I would present it as a tutoring tool for stuggling readers of all ages. You could then have a large potential customer base and be able to not only help the traditional student but also be able to cater to businesses that need their employees to be faster readers.
I would take the course, but I am going to get my masters as a reading specialist so this is right up my alley.
I would come up with a short course for the summer for students who struggle with comprehension. Many parents would pay for it becuase it would help their kid pass the state tests.
I would perhaps have two different adds, one geared toward parents and one toward adults seeking the skill.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
13 Jun 09
I think your last sentence was best.
Congrats on becoming a reading specialist. I hope the amount of work you get is more than the amount I have gotten. Good luck in the future. Take care and thanks for your response.
@okkidokitokki (1736)
• United States
13 Jun 09
Thanks, but it will be a while, I am student teaching in the fall, so after I start teaching I will go back. Here they need them in the schools bady to help the students.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Jun 09
We had too few reading teachers until Governor Cuomo signed a bill that said a reading teacher could teach 12 instead of 6 and then we suddenly had enough teachers.
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
14 Jun 09
Hi, Edge!
I would take that course without hesitation. I've always wished I could read faster, as I have so much reading to do in order to teach English, and I am a voracious reader whenever I can find time. I've always thought it should be offered as a professional development course for all teachers.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Jun 09
Thanks, I had to teach it when my students were trying to get a GED, they were too slow to finish the test. Then because I read so much for pleasure, I had to teach myself because I would have never finished the National Teachers Exams in time. I learned to read and make decisions fast. I had 5 minutes to the end of every test and I looked over my tests. During break between tests, so many people were upset because they didn't finish any of their tests. I think many teachers need to read faster, esp. those of us who love to linger over good novels and really use our imaginations. But different types of reading for different situations. Thanks, I agree with you. Take care (If I lived down there, I would run a class for you).
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
15 Jun 09
Then you would not only be a wonderful teacher, but a wonderful student! Thanks and take care.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
14 Jun 09
I have no need to increase my reading speed. If I were a reading teacher and I could somehow use what you teach to teach others then it would be more appealing.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Jun 09
Ok, thank you. Here, many people have a need to read faster for tests, jobs, college, etc. Take care.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
15 Jun 09
I learned to do that in elementary school. It's interesting the things you don't think about as being different with education then and now. I should probably bring this up at my school as they are always giving dibbles tests.
@catbirdgirl (52)
• United States
17 Jun 09
I read 1700 words a minute, naturally. no one taught me to do that. I read early (at 2.5 yrs old) and always read fast, and I figured its because I never had to do the subvocalize thing, it was always eyes-big-chunk-of-text straight to brain. Always wondered what a speed-reading course would do for me, but I think it's unlikely to help me.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Jun 09
It wouldn't help you because you're already doing it, provided that your comprehension is 80% or higher. It's speed and comprehension. So if you're comprehension and retention are really high, then nothing. My cousin has a photographic memory and she does entire pages at a time, but most of us don't have a photographic memory or read chunks at a time without help. You must have a very good visual memory. That's great. I like being flexible. I like to read slowly and daydream when I'm reading romance novels, mysteries, etc. So for those, I go much more slowly, I take time to stop and smell the roses as well as linger there. Do you do anything with cookbooks or things that require stop and start reading, just curious?
Thanks for responding. I was wondering if someone with a naturally high visual memory or a photographic memory would respond. Take care.
