Timed reading should be promoted for three reasons:
1. There are benefits to faster reading
2. Reading strategies help learning
3. Automaticity
First, let’s clarify that Timed Reading is an educational tool and not an end in itself. Some students will find it easier to achieve than others. However, the main benefit of timed reading is freeing up time for more studying and learning to retain more of what is read. The ability to concentrate and focus on the subject will in turn lead to a greater understanding of the subject and the ability to retain information. Effective timed reading tends to increase potential reading and comprehension speed. In turn, this will lead to greater reading enjoyment, which improves comprehension and erudition.
The most used strategy for speed reading has been speed reading, where the student learns not to read words but sentences or other groups of words, by fixing his eyes on the center of a sentence. Helping to do this is to display groups of words or sentences on a screen in fractions of a second, starting initially at intervals of 2 or 3 seconds up to 1/10 to 1/20 to 1/100 of a second or faster. in the same way that a camera lens opens and closes in a fraction of a second. You’d be surprised what information can be retained with practice. Scanning a text is another speed reading method. Our brain is similar to a computer and can absorb information by scanning in the same way. These methods serve to increase speed and comprehension.
Automaticity. This is the development of the ability to reduce brain activity by repeating skills and performing tasks automatically. There are many things that we do automatically, such as walking, talking, working, playing, etc. There are things we do without thinking, so we can focus on more important activities. This same process can be used to improve reading, but this concept is less useful or ambitious than speed reading. As students practice timed reading and reading repetition, there will be an improvement in reading pace. The process will tend to become more automatic and the comprehension of reading materials will increase considerably.
In conclusion, timed reading is a tool to help improve reading comprehension and save time to increase reading. It is an aid for further learning. But, there have to be realistic goals. Speed reading is the most advantageous method for developing the skills necessary for advanced understanding of almost any subject. Undoubtedly, there may be some subjects that need to be learned more slowly, such as the mathematical sciences. But one goal is to create a more automatic response to reading that manages the reading task and the demands of studying and learning so it doesn’t seem overwhelming to the student.
Speed reading can be fun and challenging and can be learned quite quickly. Good luck with fun reading and learning time.
