How to Read Your
Microbiology Textbook (and Study for this Class)
Science textbooks are typically jam-packed with information
that will likely seem overwhelming if not approached
correctly. You
can't simply jump in and expect to understand each and every
word. Unfortunately,
many students don't know how to use their textbook effectively;
they inevitably get frustrated at the difficulty, and then
give up on the assigned readings (if you don't believe me,
look at the nearly untouched condition of many used
textbooks!). If
you think that not reading the textbook is no big deal, check
out the link on the course website that has advice from
previous students. The comments there should convince you that
the text is a critical resource.
Reading a textbook effectively is an acquired skill that, like it or not, takes time and practice. People who've excelled in other difficult science classes generally already know how to study, which is one reason why they typically do well in this course.
Here's a simple list of pointers for this course:
Before
Lecture
1. First get a "feel" for the assigned info by skimming through the course pack and the relevant chapter. In the textbook, read the major headings, the learning outcomes, the subheadings, the title of the figures, and the list of key terms/their definitions. Based on what you learned by skimming, you should be able to state in simple terms what is covered in the chapter. See how that correlates to the topics in the course pack
2. Lightly read the assigned material, including the summaries of each section and the chapter summary at the end of the chapter. The intensity of your focus should be about the same as if you were reading a newspaper or magazine. You won't understand every word, but you should at least understand the words included in the course pack.
3. If "independent study" material is required, read it for comprehension, focusing on the concepts outlined in the course pack. For these sections, you should be "actively reading", meaning that your brain is engaged with each and every word. The aim is not to memorize every detail, but to thoroughly understand the concepts. After you're done, you should be able to answer the questions in the course pack easily, using the appropriate terminology (answer the questions verbally, which is more efficient than writing the answers).
After
Lecture
1. Read the assigned material for comprehension (active reading), focusing on the parts that were covered during lecture and/or outlined in the course pack. Again, the aim is not to memorize the details, but to thoroughly understand the concepts. If there's a word you don't understand, then immediately use the textbook's glossary, a dictionary or a web search to find the meaning. If a paragraph or section doesn't make sense, back up and re-read it. If it still doesn't make sense, try to find an alternative explanation by doing a web search, using a few of the relevant key words. If you're still having difficulty understanding a concept after reading the textbook carefully and trying to understand things on your own, then immediately make an appointment to meet with me for additional help. Do not wait until right before the exam! But don't even think about making that appointment until AFTER you've searched for answers on your own Ñ granted, it takes more time and effort that way, but finding the answers yourself makes the information stick with you longer, so the investment pays off in the long run.
3. After reading the assigned material, you should be able to easily explain the most important concepts covered, using the correct terms. Note that most examples in the text simply illustrate the concept or its relevanceÉ.they are not an essential part of the information.
4. Read any relevant summary tables/figures. You should be able to anticipate what's included in them.
5. Answer the review questions in the course pack (do so verbally, which is more efficient than writing the answers). You should be able to answer them easily, using the appropriate terms.
Additional
studying
1. You're not done yet. Adopt a "study buddy" for the quarter. Find a comfortable and convenient location and then, in a fairly rapid-fire manner, ask each other questions about material covered in class or the course pack. Do this as soon after a given lecture as possible. Initially, you can both have the notes or course pack open as you search for questions/answers. Eventually, the person answering should be able to do so with the notes/course pack closed. While doing this quizzing, make sure return to information covered earlier.
Other web pages that give advice on how to read science textbooks: