How should you approach reading assignments in an online course?

The recommended approach for reading assignments in an online course involves starting with skimming for the main ideas before engaging in a detailed reading. This method allows students to grasp the overarching themes and key concepts without getting bogged down by every word. By identifying the primary ideas first, learners can create a framework that enhances their understanding and retention of the material during the subsequent detailed reading.

Skimming provides a mental map that aids comprehension, as it prepares the reader for the specifics that will follow. This layer of understanding helps students to integrate new information effectively, as they are able to relate it back to the core concepts they identified earlier. This technique not only fosters better comprehension but also optimizes the time spent on reading, which is particularly valuable in an online environment where time management is crucial.

Other methods, such as reading every word without skimming, may lead to a lack of focus on the most important information and can be inefficient. Focusing solely on graphics and charts might miss critical narrative context. Relying on someone else to summarize undermines personal engagement with the material, which is essential for deep learning and understanding in an online course setting.