Read or Watch: That is the question, so what is the answer if studying?

For many dyslexics, then reading can be an anathema  to one’s life, either having problems in putting the sentence together, trouble with words, forgetting what the sentence said, and yes falling asleep half way through. As a person with ME, as well as dyslexia, I usually nod off before I get past page two!!! So what is the solution if you are a dyslexic, English as your second language or anyone else for that matter (and there are many) who don’t like reading, and who are in education?

Well some years ago, I read a wonderful and inspiring book by the author Thomas West, entitled In The Mind’s Eye, which at its core, puts forward the argument, that with the emergence of the internet and computer technology, interpreting and down-loading data for those who traditionally would have succumbed to the exclusive nature of reading and writing such as those with learning differences (namely dyslexic) were now in a position of advantage, because of the way these minds worked – lateral and visual, possibly favouring the right side of the brain than to the  left. I think of my ADHD, and how this corresponds, because I do not have the attention span to spend long periods of time reading or for that matter doing long pieces of writing by hand. But if you give me a computer, and a chance to put graphics in and play with the presentation fonts, I can keep going much longer, and my multi-tasking abilities are being utilised. Also more importantly, if we are to relate back to Dales Cone of Learning, we are more likely to recall more if we use our other senses that just read, which only accounts for 10% of what remember, in comparison to say watching the telly which we may recall 50% of.

So how do we put all this into practice at university or school? Well, I actually discourage my students to physically read books unless they really have too, certainly for background knowledge that is. Instead, I encourage them to use their computers to watch documentaries and lectures on their subject, so they can pause anytime they want, and they have the possibility to recall 50% plus. What is the point of reading a book on let’s say the cold war (which you may know nothing about) when you can watch 24 1 hour episodes on youtube which gives you most of what you need to know before you go into the lecture or classroom. Then you can begin selecting targeted reading to give you that edge, and sharpen up on the key facts. With some of the top American universities providing lectures on a range of subjects through their own youtube sites such as Harvard, Yale and Berkeley, then you might be able to even watch a lecture by an author that will be covered in your own lecture. Why read the book when you can hear from the horse’s mouth itself? This is very useful on saving writing so many notes, as again it targets your efforts like your reading. If you have watched a documentary or lecture before going into a lecture on your own on the subject to be focused upon, you are already tooled up on that topic, so can put down any pointers that are extra. Also, if like me, you fall asleep in the lecture (or even giving a lecture) then its good practice.  This also applies to revision for exams, with updating your flagging memory with documentaries and lectures. Of course if you want to get up to the 90% mark on memory, then try saying and doing what you have seen, by talking to you classmate and work as a team to discuss over what you have watched or read, or if a billy-no-mates, speak to the mirror. Coming back to an empty room with no one else doesn’t mean you have to be at a disadvantage, even speaking to the computer screen while the documentary is on works.