| Speed reading successfully requires you to train | | | | First, who walks around with a ruler in their |
| and use your eyes in new ways. All speed reading | | | | pocket? Secondly, the ruler or index card may |
| training covers some approach to getting the | | | | help the eyes track on a particular line of print, |
| eyes to move more efficiently. Did you know | | | | but it blocks the visual field below that line. That |
| that there are eye training methods that could | | | | interferes with feeding the visual information to |
| actually be harmful? Here are some mistakes to | | | | the brain. When this approach is used the speed |
| avoid. | | | | will not increase exponentially. |
| 1. Focusing on eye span development exclusively. | | | | 4. Seeing "clumps" or "word groups" is another |
| Speed reading does require the reader to learn to | | | | misconception. A clump or "word group" is defined |
| use the eyes more efficiently. Moving the eyes | | | | merely as seeing more words for each fixation, |
| more fluidly and "attending" to more words for | | | | or stop of the eyes. This is a misconception |
| each fixation (stop of the eyes) is essential. | | | | because no one consciously thinks about where |
| However, there is a second aspect that is almost | | | | their eyes are stopping when they read. Several |
| never addressed with the depth that is required | | | | different programs and books I have researched |
| to master the skills. The missing component is | | | | leave the learner in a mechanized state of stop |
| comprehension. Most books, software training, and | | | | and go. This jittery movement with the eyes |
| other speed reading development resources do | | | | doesn't make for a fluid reading experience. |
| not really teach the comprehension process to a | | | | Although the reader does want to take in more |
| level that most people can actually succeed in | | | | for each eye stop, it can not be planned |
| achieving their desired results. | | | | consciously. Rather than "word clumps" the reader |
| 2. Using a tachistoscopic type of eye training. | | | | needs to look for meaningful groups of words. |
| Tachistoscopes were machines that would flash | | | | These meaning groups can be strung across |
| words on a screen. Gradually it would increase the | | | | several lines and across several inches. |
| number of words across a whole line to the point | | | | These mistakes have one thing in common. They |
| of seeing a whole line then several lines, and finally | | | | do not take into consideration the area of clear |
| a paragraph. This method was proven to be | | | | sight that we all experience naturally. The natural |
| harmful as far back as the 1960s. However, the | | | | clear area of sight for most readers is between |
| same approach has continued in a variety of | | | | one to three inches in diameter. Sight is |
| software applications, and books on the subject. | | | | dimensional. You want to use your natural |
| This type of training requires the eye muscle to | | | | dimensional sight when training this aspect of |
| loosen to see beyond the normal visual field of | | | | speed reading. But please, don't forget, there's |
| the reader. Stretching the muscles can damage | | | | more than just the eye training. Learning how to |
| the eyes. | | | | comprehend at accelerated rates and then be |
| 3. Using a ruler or index card is another common | | | | able to recall the information easily is what |
| approach. There a couple of problems with this. | | | | masterful speed reading is all about. |