Summer of Reading #6 – Research Articles

As you progress in your field of study you will be asked to read more research articles from professional journals because these studies and article are the latest information in your field.  All research articles, including a Master’s Theses and Doctorate Dissertation, have the same six parts:

• Abstract (brief summary of the information in the article)
• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Method by which research was conducted
• Findings
• Discussion

You also will be asked to read multiple articles and then synthesize (put multiple parts together) the information in the articles.  This is the highest level of reading and learning and requires strong skills and critical thinking.

Here are some strategies to help you be successful:

• Read the abstract to narrow down your search – it will tell you if the article pertains to what you are looking for.
• Keep detailed notes.  I would print out the articles and take notes directly on that paper as well as create a large review chart listing all of the articles I am using.  If you do not want to print the articles, keep copious notes and create a file to save the articles you will be using.  You will need to go back to the original articles when you are looking for direct quotes or when you need to document where you found specific information.
• Keep on ongoing reference list.  You can use an online program to help you format each reference in the format required by the course or your major.
• Once you have found an article that is useful, look at that author’s reference list to find other articles on the same topic you can use.  This will save a lot of time looking for more articles.

The last entry of the summer will look at higher level thinking skills that are developed and supported through reading.

*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

Summer of Reading #5 - Online Textbooks

The price of textbooks is skyrocketing, and many professors work to control the cost to the student through eBooks and online articles.  This presents several advantages and disadvantages:

• Advantages:
• You, the student, save money.
• You don’t have to carry around heavy books – all you need is your portable device.
• Publishers are refining eBooks to aid in your learning.   You can make margin notes, highlight, take self-quizzes, define terms, and find other learning tools to help you read and understand the content.

• Disadvantages:
• If the book is from a publisher, at semester’s end the book will disappear from your device.   You cannot keep it for future reference.  You cannot share with other students or sell it back at the end of the semester.
• You may have to work harder to be actively involved with the information. Be prepared to take separate notes.
• You may have a more difficult time previewing the chapter and getting an overview of the organization.  This can be done, however, and greatly improves comprehension.
• Distractions are a major problem.  It is too easy to flip to email or social media.  Turn these off while you are studying!
• Of course, there is always the chance your device will malfunction.  Know you school’s computer lab hours and the office for technology support.

NOTE: Textbooks and online documents is an area that is rapidly changing.  One trend is to use books and documents that are available for free online, bypassing the major publishers.  Given the wide variety of materials you may be assigned, it will be even more important to have multiple reading and learning strategies available.

*****

First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your Frist Semester (or Any Semester) of College, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

Summer of Reading #4 - Textbooks (paper)

One of the most important ways you will learn in college is through reading your textbooks.  Professors expect that you have read and understood the material before class.   Because of this expectation, academic reading is different than pleasure reading.   I like to divide academic reading into three stages: preparing your brain before you start to read, strategies to improve comprehension and retention while reading, and doing some things to help the information stay in your memory after you complete the assignment.

Before you start to read:

·       Preview the passage to see what it is about, how it is organized and how long it is.

·       Look at any help the author has given such as learning objectives, bold print, definitions in the margin, etc.

·       Look at the pictures or any inserts that will help you preview the information.

While reading:

·       Take notes – either separate or in the margins.

·       Be aware of your comprehension and reread if you get lost.

·       Stop periodically to recite, without looking, the information you just read.  If successful more forward, if not reread.

·       Be aware off how the information fits together and how it fits with the class in general.

After you are done:

·       Look back at what you have read and review the information.

·       Take any quizzes available either in the book or online.

·       If needed, make a study guide to further enhance your learning.

Next posting will look at eBooks – many of the strategies are the same, but there are a few challenges.

*****

First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.   Click on the upper right link.

Summer of Reading #3 – Course Supplemental Texts

In addition to the course textbook, many professors assign supplemental books that are meant to give the student a more rounded view of the course material.  Often these are autobiographies or biographies giving students more insight into the historical period or important people in the field.

While these are not standard texts, they need to be read in an academic manner:

·       Read as assigned.

·       Follow any guidelines suggested by the professor.

·       Take notes.  The book may be addressed in a class discussion, separate quiz/exam or included in a major exam.

·       Look for connections between book and course material – you are reading the book for a reason!

·       Approach it more like a textbook than a pleasure book but enjoy the different format.

The next blog will address reading a traditional paper textbook.

*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.