Speed reading software

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.

The idea of the sub-vocalization program

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.

How to eliminate sub-vocalization

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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