Question

In engineering technical courses, when reading for comprehension, what is the best approach?

1) Lay in an easy chair and read the book as you would like a Charles Dickens novel
2) Use active reading strategies such as highlighting, taking notes, and summarizing
3) Read the material multiple times to ensure complete understanding
4) Skim through the content quickly without deep understanding

Answer 1

The best reading strategy in engineering courses is active reading, which includes highlighting, taking notes, summarizing, and questioning the text. Avoid passive reading and engage critically with the content for better comprehension and retention.

Step-by-step explanation:

In engineering technical courses, the best approach to reading for comprehension is to use active reading strategies such as highlighting, taking notes, and summarizing. It involves engaging with the content critically, questioning the validity of claims, seeking connections to previously learned material, and reflecting upon the text. Annotation tools and reading journals are highly recommendable to facilitate this process. Avoid passive reading, which occurs when one skims through content without deep understanding or engagement. Instead, read closely and with intent, ideally before and after material is discussed in class, and reflect on your understanding of the text.

When encountering challenging content, like a new philosophical text, an effective reading strategy is to pre-read, engage in a first read, and then perform a close read. This systematic approach ensures deep comprehension and retention of complex ideas, which is essential for success in engineering studies. Moreover, reading at a table with minimal distractions, and being well-prepared with necessary reading tools, optimizes focus and comprehension.