Extend Your Learning: Proactive Reading

Have you ever said, "I don’t learn anything from reading because the textbook is boring or too difficult to understand!" If you answered yes, you are a reactive reader. The problem may be your mindset, not your textbook. A reactive reader feels helpless and shifts the responsibility of learning to someone else; i.e. the teacher or author of that terrible textbook. The best way to avoid being a reactive reader is to take control of your learning.

Be proactive and search for better information on-line.

• Build your background knowledge BEFORE you start to read. While FLIRTing with the text, determine which sections will be easy to read and which sections may be difficult. A proactive reader types the unknown words and concepts into an on-line search engine to search for movies, pictures, and articles that will activate schema and lay a foundation of new information to build upon. Try the following on-line sites:
  i. www.teachertube.com
  ii. www.googleimages.com
  iii. iTunes for podcasts from other teachers

• Clarify confusing words and ideas AFTER you finish reading. The E in DRIVE helps proactive readers evaluate their comprehension. Sometimes the Local GPS tool isn’t enough to create meaning. Type the confusing word and/or idea into an on-line search engine for more examples and/or a better explanation of the concept.

• Caution: Not all on-line sources can be trusted. Always look for .edu, .org, and .gov domains before visiting other sites.
  

Be bold and ask the smartest student in class to help you study.

• Being smart has more to do with organization, persistence, and dedication than it does with an I.Q. score. Success always leaves clues. If you have a chance to work side by side with a student that is successful, take it! What is the worst thing they could say, “No?” Most successful students will jump at the chance to work with someone else because they know the best way to LEARN something is to TEACH it to someone else.

Be daring and get a tutor.

• Tutors aren’t just for struggling students! If you have a “B” in a class, why not get an edge over other students by working one on one with an expert. Chances are the tutor has already taken the class and can share many reading secrets to streamline your studying and improve your grade.

• Tutors can also help you make a reservation to read. If you are tempted to play on the computer in between classes, why not make an appointment with a tutor? Research suggests learning is a social activity and talking through your understanding of a concept is much more fun than studying silently by yourself.

Don’t let your academic struggles get you down! The instant you notice your reactive mindset begin, shift your thinking by asking, “What can I do to make this information more meaningful and memorable?” The more you practice shifting from a reactive mindset to a proactive mindset, the easier it will be to find solutions. Remember, extend your learning and take back control.