• Skip to main content
  • Skip to sidebar
  • Skip to submenu
  • Skip to footer

SUNY Broome

  • Ask a Question
  • Housing
  • Directory
  • Calendar
  • News
  • MyCollege
  • About
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Campus Life
  • Athletics
  • Continuing Education
  • Giving
  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Parents and Families
  • Alumni and Friends
  • Community and Business
  • Faculty and Staff
Home / Online at SUNY Broome / Student Resources / Tips and Strategies for Success / Characteristic #3: Reading Comprehension

Characteristic #3: Reading Comprehension

[Back to Tips and Strategies for Success]

The ability to read for comprehension is essential for success in an online course. The online classroom relies heavily on the written word with not only readings assigned from the textbook, but also required text-based lectures. While many courses do include audio and video components that enhance the material presented, course interaction in the majority of online courses is conducted primarily in writing. It is expected that the online student is able to combine reading from the textbook, lecture documents and class notes and incorporate the information learned into class discussions, written assignments and exams. Therefore, the successful online student needs to be able to read actively as well as think and learn independently as they read. Outlined below are tips and strategies that might help you develop your reading skills.

Tips and Strategies

Determine the Time of Day and Location in Which You Can Read Most Effectively

You want to schedule your reading assignments during a time of day that you are most alert and able to concentrate. For some, this may be early in the day and for others a later routine may work best. Either way, make sure to not read when you are extremely tired. You will also need to determine a type of location that works best for and allows you to derive the most learning possible from your reading. Again, this differs for different people. Some require complete silence (such as a library or closed off room) in order to sufficiently concentrate. Others prefer to have a bit of background noise such as music or soft background noise. Once an ideal time of day and location are established, be sure to add appropriate reading time slots to your schedule.

Break Your Reading Up Into Segments That Work For You

Think about realistically how long can you read effectively without taking a break. For example, you may determine that 40 minutes of straight reading on a particular subject is your limit before needing a brief break. Schedule this into your plan. The goal is to maximize your comprehension of the material as you read and if taking a break works to achieve this goal, then make sure you do. You will be able to come back to the material refreshed and continue with another 40 minute segment.

Briefly Review the Entire Reading Assignment Prior to Sitting Down to Read For Comprehension.

Skimming the complete Chapter or Online Lecture Assignment prior to reading the text in its entirety will give you an overview of what you will be learning and prepare you for the material to come. By scanning the key points before reading about them, you will be in the proper frame of mind when they come up in the reading, thereby improving your comprehension of the material.

Take Notes as You Read

Taking notes as you read will increase your comprehension of the material. To further expand upon your understanding, it is helpful to relate what you are reading with the material that exists in the lecture notes and class discussions. Summarizing all reading assignments in this fashion will help you build a comprehensive study guide in your own words that can be used in preparing for discussions, assignments and exams.

 

Online at SUNY Broome Menu

Brightspace at SUNY Broome (Students)

  • Brightspace at SUNY Broome (Students)
  • Registered for a course that uses Brightspace?
  • Accessing and Completing the Brightspace Student Orientation
  • Brightspace Help Documentation for Students
  • Examity Information for Students
  • FAQs for Students

Learning Online at SUNY Broome

  • Accessibility and Accommodation Information
  • Modalities (Instructional Methods) of Courses at SUNY Broome
  • Registered for a course that uses Brightspace?
  • Common Components of Online Courses
  • Face-to-Face vs. Online Instruction
  • Myths and Misconceptions
  • Is Online Learning For Me?
  • Tips and Strategies for Success
  • Online Student Checklist
  • Campus Policies and Procedures for Online Learners

Online Student Support

  • Registered for a course that uses Brightspace?
  • SUNY Broome Helpdesk
  • SUNY Online Helpdesk for Students
  • Accessibility and Accommodation Information
  • FAQs for Students
  • Essential Computer Skills Tutorial
  • STAR-NY (Online Tutoring)
  • Campus Policies and Procedures for Online Learners
  • Complaints, Grievances, and Appeals
Back to Main Online Learning Page

Apply and Register

  • Academic Calendar
  • Apply
  • Courses by Semester
  • Financial Aid
  • Register for Classes
  • Take a Class
  • Transfer to SUNY Broome
  • Tuition and Fees

Quicklinks

  • Accessibility Resources Office
  • Bookstore
  • Career and Transfer Services
  • Diversity
  • Employment
  • Ice Center
  • Library
  • Site Translation
  • Transcripts

Health and Safety

  • Health Services
  • Public Safety
  • Title IX/SUNY SAVR

SUNY Broome Community College

  • SUNY Broome Community College
    PO Box 1017
    Binghamton, New York 13902
  • Campus Map/Parking
  • +1 (607) 778-5000
  • Contact Us
SUNY Broome on Facebook SUNY Broome on Twitter SUNY Broome on Instagram SUNY Broome on YouTube SUNY Broome on LinkedIn

© 2023 SUNY Broome Community College. All Rights Reserved. Accessibility | Terms & Usage | Privacy Guidelines

Copyright © 2023 · Broome on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in