{"id":24,"date":"2018-03-27T14:34:29","date_gmt":"2018-03-27T18:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/readingtextsskillsworkshop\/?post_type=chapter&p=24"},"modified":"2018-04-11T18:58:02","modified_gmt":"2018-04-11T22:58:02","slug":"why-read-texts","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/readingtextsskillsworkshop\/chapter\/why-read-texts\/","title":{"raw":"Why Read Texts?","rendered":"Why Read Texts?"},"content":{"raw":"Why is taking time to read texts important to you?\u00a0 Watch the video below to explore the ways that reading textbooks supports your learning.\u00a0 If you prefer reading to watching videos, scroll below the video to read the video transcript.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/PgfZEMhHX6I?rel=0\r\n\r\n<\/a>Video Transcript: Why Read Texts?<\/b>\r\n\r\nAt the beginning of the workshop, you identified some possible barriers to reading your textbooks. Maybe reading takes a long time. Maybe you\u2019re not sure how spending all that time reading fits in to your overall work and learning in your courses. So, before we talk about\u00a0<\/span>how<\/i>to read a textbook, let\u2019s think through some reasons\u00a0<\/span>why<\/i>\u00a0<\/span>reading a textbook might help you with your learning.\u00a0 Here are a few reasons to consider. As you hear these reasons, think about the ones that are most important to you.\r\n\r\nReason #1 -- Reading Textbooks helps you get the most out of your class time<\/b>.\u00a0 This is\u00a0<\/span>especially true<\/i>\u00a0<\/span>if you are able to read your textbook before going to class.\u00a0 Why? Because if you are hearing a lot of material in lecture for the very first time, it can often be difficult to take good notes and understand how all of the concepts fit together.\u00a0 But, if you\u2019re able to read your textbook before you go to class, you\u2019ll already have a general understanding of the most important topics in that unit.\u00a0 You\u2019ll have been able to learn some of the key words, and you\u2019ll have a good idea of what you already understand well and what you might not quite understand yet.\u00a0 That way, when you go to class, your instructor\u2019s lecture will support and strengthen the things that you\u2019re already starting to learn.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be equipped to ask good questions and to participate well in class.\u00a0 Overall, you\u2019ll get more out of the time you spend in class.\r\n\r\nReason #2 \u2013 Most textbooks include some additional resources to help you study<\/b>.\u00a0 Here\u2019s just a few examples of things that could be helpful to you.\r\n\r\na. Many textbooks include the\u00a0<\/span>Learning Objectives<\/i>\u00a0<\/span>at the beginning of the chapter.\u00a0 These help you to know right away what are the most important things in the chapter, and what you should be able to do by the time you have finished studying this part of the course.\r\n\r\nb. Often, textbooks will highlight new words.\u00a0 These might be at the side of every page, the words might be in bold, or the textbook might include a glossary of key terms.\u00a0 Often, you\u2019ll need to understand these words well to understand your instructor\u2019s lecture and often, these words are tested on your exam.\r\n\r\nc. Many textbooks also include study questions and practice problems.\u00a0 If you\u2019re able to do a few of these every week as you go along in the course, you\u2019ll be more prepared when it comes to your exam time.\u00a0 This is especially true in classes like accounting, math, or chemistry, where you are tested on how well you can solve problems.\r\n\r\nd. As well, many textbooks include online resources like videos or online quizzes. These can help you to review the key concepts in your class.\r\n\r\nReason #3 for reading textbooks -- \u00a0In many courses, it is important to read the textbook to do well on the exam<\/b>. In university, in addition to the time you spend in class, you are also expected to spend some time in independent study. Most instructors will include questions from the textbook on the exam, and these things might not have been covered in class.\u00a0 If you rely only on your class notes, you might miss some key concepts that you\u2019ll need to know for your exam.\r\n\r\nAnd lastly,\u00a0<\/span>reason #4 \u2013 You become a better reader by reading<\/b>.\u00a0 Learning to read textbooks well prepares you to read other complex material that you\u2019ll encounter throughout your studies and later on in your career.\u00a0 Reading efficiently is a skill that you will use throughout your life \u2013 not just in your current classes.\r\n\r\nLet\u2019s summarize what we\u2019ve just discussed.\u00a0 What are some good reasons to spend time reading textbooks?\r\n\r\n1.\u00a0 Because it will help you to get the most out of your classes.\r\n\r\nReason 2. \u00a0Because textbooks have resources that will help you study\r\n\r\nReason 3. \u00a0Because reading your text will ensure you know all of the material that will be included on your exams.\r\n\r\nAnd reason 4. \u00a0Because reading textbooks helps you develop strong reading skills for life\r\n\r\nWhich of these reasons seems most important to you?\u00a0 Do you have another reason that you could add to this list?\u00a0 Complete the reflection on the next page to identify\u00a0<\/span>your<\/i>\u00a0<\/span>motivations for reading texts.","rendered":"

Why is taking time to read texts important to you?\u00a0 Watch the video below to explore the ways that reading textbooks supports your learning.\u00a0 If you prefer reading to watching videos, scroll below the video to read the video transcript.<\/p>\n