MCCCD Program Description

Speed Reading

Course: RDG105

First Term: 1995 Fall

Lecture 2 Credit(s) 2 Period(s) 2 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Development of skills that result in increased reading speed while maintaining satisfactory comprehension of a variety of materials

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Differentiate between reality and myth as related to speed reading. (I) 2. Overcome deterrents to increasing one`s reading speed. (II) 3. Apply specific visual techniques to increase reading speed. (III) 4. Utilize aids to comprehension while increasing reading rate. (IV) 5. Adjust reading rate. (V) 6. Use special rapid reading strategies as needed. (VI) 7. Increase one`s reading rate in a variety of materials. (VII) 8. Calculate one`s reading speed on a variety of practice selections using a specific mathematical formula. (VIII) 9. Calculate one`s percentage of comprehension of selections used to practice speed reading. (VIII) 10. Graph individual progress in gaining speed and retaining comprehension. (IX)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Speed reading: reality vs. myth A. Research findings B. Student expectations C. Reality II. Deterrents to speed A. Head moving B. Finger moving C. Subvocalization D. Regression E. Emotional factors III. Visual techniques to increase speed A. Use of peripheral vision B. Eye fixations C. Reading by phrases rather than words IV. Aids to comprehension A. Main ideas B. Supporting details C. Signal words D. Punctuation V. Adjusted reading rate A. According to material B. According to purpose for reading VI. Special rapid reading strategies A. Previewing 1. As prereading activity 2. As only activity B. Skimming C. Scanning VII. Increased reading rate A. Fiction B. Essays C. Technical reports D. Research E. Business materials VIII. Reading rate and comprehension A. Calculate words per minute using mathematical formula B. Calculate comprehension using percentage of correct responses IX. Individual gains in speed while retaining or increasing comprehension A. Initial scores as base line B. Progress graphed during semester C. Final scores compared to initial scores

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 6/27/1995

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.