Next week we are doing a beta run of the online version of our Academic Reading seminar!
Until now, we had only offered this foundational seminar in person, for individuals, small groups, and cohorts. But with the Covid-19 quarantine measures currently in place, we had to close our office. This has only accelerated our plans for an online version of this popular course. I have been adapting its nine-plus hours of material into an online format that will be helpful and engaging, one that uses the strengths of the online experience rather than trying to replicate the in-person experience. This has proven more difficult than I expected! But we have some ideas we want to try, and we can't wait any longer to try them.
We haven't devoted any time to it this week as we are finishing up a lot of details for the Online Writers Conference this weekend. But after I have recovered from the conference, I will have its first hour ready to share with you next Wednesday, April 22!
When I say "share with you," I mean that in two ways. First, you can pay to be an actual participant in the one-hour session, and I can tailor its content to your personal situation as I go. Second, you can wait for me to post the session online for free, with most of the personalization edited out.
For this first run of three sessions, I will limit it to six paid participants. So if this appeals to you, email me immediately to register and save your place!
Will it appeal to you?
I hope so! This three-session mini-seminar is made with grad students and doctoral students in mind, but it is for everyone who wants to:
- dramatically improve their reading efficiency and effectiveness
- get through the most daunting required-reading list in a single day
- "data-mine" the thickest texts without a computer
- anchor crucial information in your brain before an exam or public presentation
No, I cannot confer superpowers upon you. But I can train you in a doctoral-caliber set of skills, insights, and strategies that have blessed generations of scholars, but which are largely unknown or ignored in this new millennium.
This is not a remedial-reading course, although I will explain some fundamentals that will shed new light on what you think you know about written communication.
This is not a speed-reading course, although I will teach you the principles that every speed-reading course depends upon.
This is not a study-skills seminar, although I will offer practical approaches that may save your grades.
The Academic Reading Training Seminar is based upon the classic works of Mortimer Adler, J. Robert Clinton, Nicholas Schaffzin, and Sister Miriam Joseph. It synthesizes their best ideas and strategies into a unique model called "Three-Dimensional Reading."
The initial three-hour block of the seminar covers skills and strategies to finish reading books and articles faster than normal. The first session of this block is the one we'll do next Wednesday, April 22 (we'll set a specific time for it on Tuesday, once we hear from you and other possible participants). The second session will be Wednesday, April 29, and the third session will be Wednesday, May 6.
After we see how these first few sessions go, I'll tell you more about the remaining blocks of sessions in the Academic Reading Training Seminar. These are only the first three hours of what might turn out to be a nine-hour or even a twelve-hour online course!
If you want to participate in these first three one-hour sessions, or if you just want to see the free versions when they are released, email me and tell me when you are available for one hour of online group instruction, Wednesday, April 22. I'll email everyone on Tuesday, April 21, with the link to join and the time that worked best for everyone.
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