LEARNING OUTCOME #3: ACTIVE READING
Active reading was a relatively successful experience. It was difficult to start, but the guidelines provided were extremely helpful and allowed me to try to dig deeper into the texts. Active reading was valuable to me because it helped me grasp what the content of what we were reading. I didn’t always have the greatest understanding of some of the materials we read, but active reading allowed me to remember important aspects to be able to review them and gain a better understanding in class.
In Kwame Appiah’s text, “The Primary of Practice,” I chose to annotate a section that discussed traditions in society that are now not practiced. I chose this section because it related Appiah’s thoughts on how to create change to real-life practices. Annotating this page, I learned new vocab and expanded, questioned, and made connections within the text. In one of these connections, I explored the relationship between Appiah’s idea that change occurs when we learn from a “gradually acquired new way of seeing things” and the common theme in books like The Giver and Anthem; knowledge is power. I made this connection because I thought that knowing and learning more will inspire people to shift their perspective, and to possibly explore new ways of life and think new thoughts.
In Malcom Gladwell’s text, “Small Change,” I chose to annotate a section in which he discusses the characteristics of people who participate in high-risk activism, specifically in movements like the Civil Rights Movement. I chose this section because I was really intrigued and agreed with Gladwell’s point of view. I was able to draw questions, extend, and make connections with this section of the text. I explored a connection between Gladwell’s point that those who participated in high-risk activism often have personal connections with the cause, with the podcast we analyzed in class. The podcast demonstrated that the most effective way to change someone’s mind is to connect with them personally and connect the issue to their personal life.
I think doing active reading helped me gain a better understanding of what is discussed in the texts, as well as allowed me to dig deeper and make connections. I wasn’t great at grasping deeper understanding of the texts, but having the knowledge of exactly what is discussed helped me reach that understanding once we discussed it in class.
