Chapter 8: Learning From Textbooks

1. Chapter 8: Learning From Textbooks Academic Reading, Fifth Edition by Kathleen T. McWhorter

2. Learning Objectives: • To become familiar with standard textbook format • To use textbook features to facilitate learning • To devise systematic approaches for textbook study • To learn systematic retention and recall techniques

3. Textbook Format • Preface and Table of Contents - provide keys to the overall organization. • Appendix, Glossary, and Index - organize and supplement the content.

4. Textbook Learning Features • Chapter Preview • Chapter Objectives • Chapter Outline • Chapter Overview • Marginal Notations • Special-Interest Inserts

5. Textbook Learning Features • Review Questions • List of Key Terms • Chapter Summaries • Suggested Readings or References When a text lacks a feature, construct it yourself. Prepare your own list of key terms or marginal notes.

6. Textbook Learning Features - Chapter Overviews • Before reading: • Activate prior knowledge through previewing. • Predict the thought pattern used. • Anticipate difficult sections. • While reading: • Ask, “What is important to learn?” • Mark or underline key information. • After reading: • Monitor your comprehension. • Immediately review material you cannot recall.

7. Textbook Learning Features - Special-Interest Inserts • Read the insert after you have read the text material. • Determine the purpose of the insert and use marginal notes. • Review for exams, especially if the instructor has mentioned them.

8. Systematic Approaches to Textbook Reading • SQ3R • Survey • Question • Read • Recite • Review

9. Systematic Approaches to Textbook Reading • Adapting SQ3R • to suit material • example: Add a “study the Sample Problems” step in mathematics. • to suit learning style • example: Tape record with the review step if you are auditory.

10. Retention and Recall Strategies • Periodic Review • Thought Pattern Recognition • Association of Ideas - connecting information to ideas you already know • Visualization - creating a mental picture • Mnemonic Devices • Using Writing - underlining, highlighting, outlining, taking notes

11. Retention and Recall Strategies • Mnemonic Devices: • Rhymes such as “Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November…..” • Phrases such as “ROYGBIV” to represent the colors in the light spectrum (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)

12. Summary Questions • What are the features that textbooks can contain to help you learn information? • What is the SQ3R system? • How and why might you want to adapt the SQ3R system? • What are additional strategies to ensure retention and recall?

13. Read the biology articles and complete the activities following the selections. “Do Animals Think?” by Michael C. Mix, Paul Farber, and Keith L. King “The Subject is Alex” by Ken Kaufman