PhotoReading?

[3DStudent]

The results are in: Photoreading first made absolutely no difference whatsoever!

Ah, thank you, nice to know. I guess if you read it the "correct" way, which is reading or speed-reading it, then the subconscious method of photoreading isn't really helpful because you've fully integrated it into your consciousness via the regular way. I still think I may try the photoreading method and see it it works for myself.

 

[Gawan]

It sounds like a lot of fun, to experiment with reading techniques.

Today I let wander around my eyes in the library and found a book about photoreading, which caught my interest and so I took it with me.

Rarely I do speedreading or photoreading automatically, for example here on the forum, or when I'm researching for something and where is simply no time to read a whole paper.
What is already helping is holding the tongue in place and not moving it around, also I recognised a few minutes ago, while experimenting with it, I'm much more focused.

But I'm not entirely sure, if "Acereading" is only suitable for English texts, or if it is also helpful, while speaking of tongues ;), for other languages?

The results are in: Photoreading first made absolutely no difference whatsoever!

Ah, thank you, nice to know. I guess if you read it the "correct" way, which is reading or speed-reading it, then the subconscious method of photoreading isn't really helpful because you've fully integrated it into your consciousness via the regular way. I still think I may try the photoreading method and see it it works for myself.

If I may ask, how have you been doing with other reading techniques?

 

[Approaching Infinity]

But I'm not entirely sure, if "Acereading" is only suitable for English texts, or if it is also helpful, while speaking of tongues ;), for other languages?

The planned lessons are in English, but there is a feature that is entirely programmable. You enter your own text, determine speed, format, etc. So for that, you can do it in any language.

 

[3DStudent]

If I may ask, how have you been doing with other reading techniques?

Fwiw, I have long since stopped using the AceReader software. I tried it for a week or two for the recommended 15 minutes a day. My reading speed improved, but not as much as I liked. Eventually I just stopped practicing it and just read the forum instead. I guess I am just a slow reader, and I miss things and it's not as enjoyable when I read fast.

 

[Gimpy]

If I may ask, how have you been doing with other reading techniques?

Fwiw, I have long since stopped using the AceReader software. I tried it for a week or two for the recommended 15 minutes a day. My reading speed improved, but not as much as I liked. Eventually I just stopped practicing it and just read the forum instead. I guess I am just a slow reader, and I miss things and it's not as enjoyable when I read fast.

My Hubby is a slow reader too. Depending on the subject and writer, I can read three books a day. If its something challenging like Ouspensky or Gurdjieff, I slow way down. Sometimes reading too fast or getting impatient with the material can make me miss important points. Then I have to put the book down, go clean something etc, then start again. Its not uncommon to take weeks or even months to finish the hard ones, but they are a lot more enjoyable reads this way and more information is retained.

As for learning speed reading, I haven't done any work on that since Jr High School. A lot of that is the concerns mentioned above.

 

[Seamus]

For the next book I read, I'm going to photoread it first, and then speedread it the AceReader way. I'll let you all know how it goes! ;)

The results are in: Photoreading first made absolutely no difference whatsoever!

So, I guess I'll stick with the AceReading method.

If anyone needs any more convincing that photoreading doesn't work, I found a link on Wikipedia to a study prepared for NASA in 1999.

The extremely rapid reading rates claimed by PhotoReaders were not observed; indeed, the reading rates were generally comparable to those for normal reading. Moreover, the PhotoReading expert generally showed an increase in reading time when using the PhotReading technique in comparison to when using normal reading strategies to process text. This increase in reading time when PhotReading was accompanied by a decrease in text comprehension.

 

[realitybugll]

If you want to try a "conscious" method, you could try AceReader. It teaches you how to read without pronouncing the words in your head and also, to capture more words in one read, instead of reading one word at a time. The exercises are such, that the goal is to read faster with a 100% comprehension. People had reached incredible speeds with total comprehension of the text with that software.

this is interesting. I think I already do this sometime to an extent. A lot of times the longer words, like names, annoy me to pronounce to myself, so I just drop them or make it one syllable. when I read out-loud in school or something I realize I have no idea how to say many of the words I was reading and comprehending. :P in-fact they seem unfamiliar to me.


On the flip side of this --sometimes reading out-loud and really feeling the language leave my mouth slowly and precisely and help me with comprehension.

sometimes reading too fast I will loose comprehension because I skip words I don't know--or because I don't go back and re-read. this only happens when I am really into the book I am reading i.e at the moment "the ladies of the rope".

 

[Gawan]

If anyone needs any more convincing that photoreading doesn't work, I found a link on Wikipedia to a study prepared for NASA in 1999.

The extremely rapid reading rates claimed by PhotoReaders were not observed; indeed, the reading rates were generally comparable to those for normal reading. Moreover, the PhotoReading expert generally showed an increase in reading time when using the PhotReading technique in comparison to when using normal reading strategies to process text. This increase in reading time when PhotReading was accompanied by a decrease in text comprehension.

I agree, I tested it also and read a photoreading instruction book the way it was suggested. At the end I had the feeling, when I don't believe in photoreading then it doesn't work. Well, it's not a practical technique imo.

Nontheless, I find it interesting to develop new reading styles anbd see my old ones, that means I also read many books in the believe, I have to read it all, the entire book, before I can start a new one, which is very slow and impractical too.

 

[Seamus]

I have so many books on my reading list that I have trouble finishing one before I start another, which often means that I give the first half of most books a good read and then skim the second half because I started another book and I'm just trying to get through it.

After reading Mr. Scott's review:

The AceReader software is more about doubling or tripling your reading speed with full conscious recall. I've been using the software for a few weeks, and my reading speed went from 240 words per minute to 820 wpm on a good day, 650 on a "slow day". As with photoreading, it requires practice, but the software is seriously handy and it works. I still have to fight to not vocalize words in my head as I read, but it gets easier and easier each time I read something.

I downloaded the AceReader trial at the end of last week (Friday I think) and used it for 15 or 20 minutes. I noticed an immediate difference on Friday, but I can see why you would need to practice daily as I don't feel that short practice produced any long term results. The exercises in the program are simple and engaging, it seems like a very practical technique. I will post about my progress here.

 

[HowToBe]

My mom and I are interested in learning to speed read, and maybe photoreading. I think speed reading is probably more practical to learn based on the discussion here, so that's the priority.

I checked out the Acereader website, as well as the site of another product, "7 Speed Reading". The current price is about $30 more reasonable than the Acereader version we would most likely buy, and appears to have all of the same features. It has a 12-month money-back return policy rather than a trial version, so it seems like a reasonable way to go. Just FYI to anyone interested. _http://www.7speedreading.com/ This page gives info about the program.

I doubt the study linked by Seamas is a good basis on which to say that speed reading doesn't work. There were only two subjects, and one of them was one of the researchers if I understood correctly. The other one was an "expert" photoreader who had instructed others in photoreading. However, we know that to become an "expert" in any field doesn't necessarily imply genuine skill or ability. I would be interested to see a study that used a larger group of people. My impression is that it could work, at least for some people, if enough work was put into it. Whether it is worth it is another question.

That said, I'll look into speedreading first, and I'm thankful for the discussion here. ;D

 

[aragorn]

As a part of a research education program, I just had a course in speed reading today and it was really interesting. We got to learn the basics, and also how to look/scan for the relevant parts of a scientific book/article to determine if it's worth reading.

Here are some of my notes. Just to remind you, these are our teachers "rules", I'm not sure how objectively true they are:

1) Google the author(s) to get to know their background, get the overall feeling of what kind of person they are

2) Look at the title - what does it tell you? Is the title trying to have an "agenda" etc.

3) Who is the editor and what year is it published. Thumbrule for contemporary topics: Good source - 5years old, Okay source - 10years old, Questionable source >15years old. This doesn't apply to "classics" and "corner stones" of research books and articles [I'm not sure how to determine if it is one].

4) Read the blurb (back cover)

4) Look at the context page(s) - scan it quickly through. See next point.

5) You should have a research question in mind BEFORE you pick up a book - don't try to find the question from the book! Look for chapters of interest that could answer your question(s).

Added:
* If you are reading a "handbook" or compilation: after reading ALWAYS go to the original sources and read them!

** If you're doing a presentation: ALWAYS put references/footnotes telling where you've got the information. Recommended: add copyright and your email address to the handout - someone might find it and would like to contact you.
---
After you've decided to read the book:

1) Read the FIRST SENTENCE of each chapter. This will usually tell a lot about that chapter.

2) Look at & and scan through the headings in each chapter

3) Riffle fast through the whole book - is there a lot of text, many images etc. How long will it take me to read this book? This will help you to lower the treshold/fear of reading it.

4) Look closer at the chapters that you have chosen (that could answer your question(s) )

5) Speed read...


We did some practice and our teacher gave us some useful links too:


Test your reading speed (English)
:

_http://www.readingsoft.com/



EyeQ:
_
https://www.eyeqadvantage.com/

Brain exercises:
_www.lumosity.com

Reading at a set speed online:
_http://www.spreeder.com/app.php?intro=1

Different eye exercises (peripheral vision etc.)
_http://www.eyecanlearn.com/#Peripheral

Eye exercise (flash over screen)

_http://aydos.com/speedreading



Online Speed reading course:
_http://www.mrkent.com/speedread/test_1.php


Tips and statistics:
_http://www.fasterreader.eu/pages/en/speed-reading.html


We tried out the EyeQ on-line software, and it was interesting and actually produced some results. You can try the 1. part of the program for free (you'll have to register, but the name and email you give are supposed to stay confidential).

I'll check out the AceReader program that was recommended earlier.

 

[aragorn]

I've spent the last couple of days going through different speed reading software. Tried the AceReader trial version and liked it a lot, it was quite like the EyeQ program. I think I'll buy it when I can afford it, or maybe I can get my employer to pay for it.

I did however find a very good little app for the iPhone. So those of you who have an iPhone (or iPod), check out this program called "Reading Trainer" by HeKu IT. It has many different types of training sessions, and the exercises get progressively harder for each new level.

_http://www.heku-it.com/reading-trainer-app/

 

[abeofarrell]

A friend taught me photo reading last year to help with my study. I found the benefit was in previewing contents of a large amount of material as a foundation for comprehension.

The best small idea from photo reading is the mandarin on the head part.

As you speed-read put your awareness at the top and back of your head. Imagine a mandarin there. I cannot remember the exact science behind this but if I put my awareness at the top and back of my head when I read I find I can increase my reading speed from 60 to 100 percent.

I was a big fan of speed reading in high school too. My speed was around 1000 words a minute. My average speed now is probably around 750. When I read a book I try first of all to just "look" at the whole book, rapidly flicking through the pages, looking at pictures, bold text, charts etc. This kind of puts in my mind the basic structure of the book. Then I read the book using speed-reading. Finally I go back to areas of particular interest or concern and work on them SLOWLY for detail.

Works for me.

Important thing is to find what is best for you. 1 point I do want to make is that pronouncing words inside your head DOES have a purpose. It is not necessary to pronounce every word but I find that saying key points from the text in my mind as I read adds a further level of association which helps me to remember. Apart from that I do not pronounce them in my head.

Good luck!

 

[Persej]

I think I found the machine that Laura mentioned when she talked about how one of her teachers used it to teach her the speed reading. It is called the Tachistoscope:

Tachistoscopes were used during the late 1960s in public schools as an aid to increased reading comprehension for speed reading. There were two types: the student would look through a lens similar to an aircraft bombsight viewfinder and read letters, words and phrases using manually advanced slide film. The second type projected words and phrases on a screen in sequence.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachistoscope

And here is how one of them looked like: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f1Gh8p-yUAE/UI_jM3AEOrI/AAAAAAAAE-M/JjBEA65XYRY/s1600/tachistoscope.png

But I doubt that it can work if you are not already "talented" for it.