Computer speed reading exercise "The metronome"
This program can play a rhythm. Also you can program in your own rhythm.
How this program works
To begin the rhythm, click on the "Go" button.
To pause, click on the "Pause" button
To adjust the program, click on the "Settings" button
The Program contains two exercises:
- The elimination of sub-vocalization
exercise.
- The metronome speed-reading exercise.
A description of the elimination of sub-vocalization exercise
This exercise can help you to eliminate the habit of
sub-vocalization of words during
reading. Try to learn the rhythm, and beat to its time with your hand and arm. At
the same time read the text.
The speed of the rhythm is according to the default setting of the program. If
you lose time of the rhythm, then re-load: click on the "Settings" button, and then
click on the "Load" button. Select the 1.txt file.
A description of the speed-read metronome rhythm:
To load the rhythm, click on the "Settings" button. Then click on the "Load"
button. Then select the 2.txt file.
Read the text while the metronome is playing. Let your eyes jump from one word
to another with each beat. Concentrate your attention on the beats.
This simple exercise can increase your reading speed by two or more times.
sub-vo-cal-iza-tion
also Brit sub*vo*cal*isa*tion n : the act or process of inaudibly articulating
speech with speech organs sub*vo*cal*ize vb -ized also Brit -ised -iz*ing also Brit
-is*ing
Human brains have 2 different zones:
- Pronunciation of words is carried out in zone one (Brok zone) � The slow speed
operation zone.
- Operations concerning the understanding of words are done in the second zone
(Vernik zone) � The speed operation zone.
When reading, both zones of the brain are working. (Even when you are not pronouncing
the text out loud.). Slow brain operation + Speed brain operation = Slow operation.
It follows that the zone responsible for pronouncing the words reduces reading speed.
The Vernik zone is found in the first temple convolutions of the brain . This
part of brain does not work with acoustic information. It is connected with the
exterior regions of the visual analyzer, but does not directly receive information
from the eyes.
Through the Vernike zone we understand each others speech. Through this zone
the main idea of any speech is formed. It is not used for selecting, words but for
understanding the idea of a converstaion. When this zone is damaged, it is not possible
to understand what another person says.
The Brok zone is located in the third coronal brain. The Motor images of words
are stored in this part of the brain. If this part of the brain is unable to operate
properly then it is possible to understand what the other person is saying, but
it is impossible pronounce out loud any word. (When the Brok zone is harmed, then
the hearing is damaged, and it is not possible to correctly intonate words.
In order to move away from the habit of sub-vocalizing, we use the method of
the central speech hindrances. In this method a rhythm is knocked out by the hand
whilst reading. The sub-vocalized speech is then effectively placed onto the "tip
of the finger". When the finger is busy, this automatically blocks the speech center..
There are three methods for eliminating sub-vocalization:
1. Say one text out loud and at the same time read the other text. For instance,
say out loud the words: one, two, three: and simultaneously read this text. Do you
understand the text? What process occurs in your mind?
2. Do complex fingers motions. The motions mustn't be automatic, free and easy.
It is necessary to execute the motion in a way which forces the brain to constantly
keep a check of what happening. For example, whilst the right hand is knocking,
straighten out the fingers of your left hand one by one (one knock - one straightened
finger).
3. Read the text in time to a specifically selected rhythm. You need to select
the rhythm that is appropriate for reading. It is necessary to do beat out this
rhythm correctly. At the beginning it is not easy to do beat out a rhythm and read
simultaneously. Anther problem will be in understanding the text. You will forget
everything that you read.
In order to fully eliminate sub-vocalization, twenty hours of reading to this
rhythm is required.
You can use the following rhythm:
1. One stroke with the palm and forearm. Wait 0.2 sec,
2. One stroke with the palm and forearm. Wait 0.2 sec,
3. One stroke with the palm and forearm. Wait 0.4 sec,
4. One stroke with the palm and forearm. Wait 0.4 sec,
5. One stroke with the palm and forearm. Wait 0.8 sec,
6. One stroke with the palm and forearm. Wait 0.8 sec,
7. One stroke with the palm and forearm. Wait 0.8 sec,
8. One stroke with the palm and forearm. Wait 0.8 sec.
1. One stroke with the palm and forearm. Wait 0.2 sec,
Metronome exercise for increasing reading speed
Adjust the metronome to 200-400 clicks a minute. Put the text in front of you,
and order youself to concentrate and carry out the exercise quickly.
- Fix your eyes twice on each line of the text. One click of the
metronome - one jump of the eyes! Work like this for 1-2 minutes.
- Adjust the speed of the metronome. Continue the task. At first
the speed of the metronome will seem to be very high. But after
several seconds you will feel that it is beating at a slow
speed. Your mind adapts to the current task and is ready for the
next task.
- Increase the speed! Try to move your eyes in different ways;
diagonally, in the form of the letter Z etc. Notice how long it
takes the brain to adapt. What else did you notice?
- Allow your eyes to move freely as you would want. Switch off the
metronome and read. Do you notice a change in your reading
strategy?
- Continue the exercise until you get tired. Be honest, nobody has
ever died from tiredness. They have from exhaustion, but not
from tiredness! You can read a little bit more. But you are not
going to get exhausted in the next few minutes. :)
- Cutting up the text into
three perpendicular strips. Place a piece in front of you. Make
one-inch blanks between the strips.
- Read quickly. The higher the speed of reading the greater the
understanding. Soon you will not notice the space between the
strips.
- Move the central strip around in any order. This creates an
inconvenience for the brain. Feel how easy it is.
- Place the strips in the initial order. Read the text. What do
you feel? Is it easy?
Possible problems when you use computer metronome
If you cannot hear a sound, please check your computer audio system and adjust
if necessary. Check it the following way:
- My computer.
- Control Panel.
- The Sound and multimedia menu item. Select the audio bookmark.
Click on the Volume button.
- Set up all the volume switches so that they are in their maximum
position.
Speed reading tips
After speed speed-reading a document, create a Mind Map outlining the basic concepts
and important details of what you have just read. Keep this Mind Map with the book
or text that you have just read. You can refer back to it whenever you need a quick
review.
Cement the information. Telling someone about what you've read, or talking out
loud to yourself helps you to "cement" the information in your brain. Experiment
with different ways of expressing/sharing the information to find what works best
for you - some people remember things if they write them down, others draw a diagram
or talk about it.
Use our speed reading software for developing
your reading skills.
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