required reading

Re: Welcome Mike | Mike McDonald | September 6th, 2002

Any questions then just fire away

Thanks. I do have one, actually, as regards reading. How much of the core reading and recommended reading in each module can most people realistically manage? All the core reading and some of the recommended reading? Parts of the core reading and odd bits of the recommended reading? Is it best to read before doing the related units in the module or while doing them? Or afterwards?

I feel a bit daunted by the number and thickness of the books on the lists.

Mike

Re: the book list | Maria Leedham | September 6th, 2002

Welcome Mike

Re the book list. It does seem daunting and in FND Julian stresses that you read what you can lay your hands on and not worry about the rest. I've read all the readings in the articles files, plus most on the FND list -they're referred to on in MET. Then it's been a matter of what I've found in back issues of ELTJ etc in libraries. I realize I'm fortunate in being here as I can get hold of books (though it can still be frustrating).

Good luck! You sound extremely busy.

Maria Leedham

Re: Reading | Andy Boon| September 7th, 2002

For an assignment, I read a lot of books and articles - it is difficult to put a number on it but I keep on going until I feel I have a full understanding of the subject.

As for reading material, you should join the Columbia Uni library in Sudiobashi. It costs 5000yen a year and you have access to umpteen books and articles.

Andy

Required Reading | Jerry Talandis Jr. | September 6th, 2002

Hi Mike,

This is a perennial question. The answer is that it depends on how much time and energy you have. If you have time to focus totally on your studies full time, I'd say read everything. But, that is probably not the case. You then have to make decisions based on what you want most. "Prioritize" is the word that comes to mind.

For me, I'd like to read everything and do all the tasks, but I just can't manage that. The assignments are what you are evaluated on, so it stands to reason to put most of your energy there. For FND you have to write little blurbs on different topics, so be sure to do all the readings in the Articles binder. Try to do the tasks in the binder as they come up, making use of this forum to interact with other CPs.

As for other reading, do as much as you can in order to write up a good assignment. In other words, if you "get" something after just the most basic reading, I would not put more energy into it (unless you're really interested) and focus more on the more difficult questions.

Also, one good reading technique is "scanning." You can flip through a book, chapter, or article quite quickly in order to get the gist of it. Read the Abstract, scan the section headings, and then read the conclusion. Make a note in your journal of what the thing is about. You can come back for a closer reading in the future if you need to. I do that a lot and it saves me a lot of time. After FND you'll be doing big assignments, and you'll want to get those figured out soon in order to focus your energy. Good luck!

Jerry

Re: Welcome Mike | James Hobbs | September 7th, 2002

Welcome, Mike!

As for reading, I remember feeling really daunted when I first saw the reading lists. But I think you soon learn how to be selective. I was very thorough with FND, reading most of the 8 (?) recommended key books, on top of the core readings for each unit. You could probably get through FND on less, but it stands you in good stead later on, as you have a sound grasp of who's who (the same names come up over and over again as you progress through the course), and you can be more selective in your reading for later modules. Always remember that the underlying philosophy of the course is to find something in each module that interests you, or something relevant to your situation, and explore it in detail. You're not expected to become an expert on every aspect of every module.

Anyway, best of luck and see you on the list.

James

Thanks | Mike McDonald | September 7th, 2002

Thanks to everyone who answered my question about reading for the course. I didn't expect such a great response.

Mike

Re: Required Reading | Raymond Sheehan | September 7th, 2002

Welcome, Mike. I think your question on reading has been pretty comprehensively covered--perhaps the general drift being: read as widely as you can at the beginning of a new module and read narrowly and deeply as you choose an assignment focus.

I remember Keith said some time back that he used his 50 minutes commuter time on a train to "tear the guts out of a book," and I've been trying ever since to get what I need out of a book in that length of time... I still can't manage it in 50 minutes but I think the general principle of not getting bogged down is a good one, and it sharpens the mind to select what is really important from an argument.

As regards articles, I find the huge collection of past volumes of ELTJ on CD-Rom really useful, particularly as it comes with an Acrobat Reader search tool. It's available at a special offer via the LSU office (still?). I've also purchased the CD-Rom version of TESOL Quarterly articles (a lot more costly but well worth the layout, in my opinion).

As regards time management: we've had this discussion very recently and it's probably the bane of the distance learner's life. I agree with the advice to capitalize on your initial enthusiasm by covering as much ground as you can early on. I also found that while I did modules at a good steady pace early on, that has now changed: partly through choice, because I kept the modules that I thought would be most stimulating to me personally until the end, as the reward for having got through so much else! I now find that I want to spend a lot more time delving around in these modules, not simply for the sake of finishing an assignment but also to follow up on things that just interest me. And the time pressure is off; having completed most of the modules in less than two years, I don't feel I have to panic about completing the course within 5 years. I feel I'll get more out of it at this stage by slowing down a bit and appreciating the trees....

Good luck and enjoy!

Raymond

Re: Welcome Mike | Mike McDonald | September 7th, 2002

Raymond,

Thanks for the detailed advice. I can see that I'm going to have to radically alter my way of reading. In general, I find the best way to absorb a book is by keeping a highlight pen in one hand and marking everything of any significance. It works, more or less, but it takes a tremendous amount of time. On the other hand, if I skim I find it very hard to retain anything for longer than a day or two. Ever had that feeling of opening a book you know you've read before and not remembering a single word of it? It happens to me all the time, even sometimes with articles I've covered in highlight ink.

TIA

Mike McDonald