Page 77 - Foundations of Learning, 4th Edition (Revised)

Using a Reading Log

A reading log is a tool to help you not only keep track of what you read, but to help you focus on applying
the steps of the Reading Methodology in order to become a more effective reader.

Ron Miller, of Western Michigan University, explains that “all effective reading logs address two areas:
what the student has learned and how the student has learned it. Reading logs challenge students to analyze
their reading strategies, to demonstrate what they have learned from a reading assignment, to assess the
quality of what they have read, and to develop an action plan for improving reading skills” (Miller, 2007).

Another benefit of using a reading log is that you are essentially preparing your own study guide for exams.
When you create a reading log based upon assigned reading, you are engaging in every step of the Reading
Methodology and are therefore increasing your skills as a reader. Beyond this, however, you are outlining
the readings and being prompted to make connections and ask critical thinking questions. It should come
as no surprise that these are precisely the types of skills that will serve you well on exams and reports.

You will complete a reading log of your own in Activity 3.1. In order to become familiar with a reading
log and how to use one, examine the student samples on the following four pages.

The first example is a reading log that Molly created based on an article she read about yoga. The second
example is from Star Performer Paula (who you met in Chapter 1); she has filled out a reading log based
on an article about top medical breakthroughs of 2007.

Their course instructor has assessed their reading logs and provided helpful
feedback at the bottom of each reading log. This feedback is in a format that
should be familiar to you at this point: strengths, areas for improvement,
and insights.

Once you are comfortable with how a reading log
works, you are ready to tackle Activity 3.1.

Molly says, "I didn't see the point of a reading
log when I first heard about it, but then
I realized that it's really just the Reading
Methodology (which helps A LOT!) with easy
and quick prompts. I like that I can keep a
bunch of blank logs in my notebooks to use for
different reading assignments. I used a reading log
for a chapter in my world history survey course and
believe it or not, one of the questions I asked on my
reading log was one of the questions on our first quiz!
I never would have focused on those specific ideas, if
I hadn't been using a reading log."

Chapter 3 — Reading Methodology 71