Active reading - an important activity in its own right.
'Active Reading' is a term I've coined in this research to highlight that reading a Learning History is an important act in itself. The idea is to put a process in place that really encourages the reader to engage with the learning history on a number of levels. So whilst they may enjoy the story, they are encouraged to be critical and to notice and record their varied responses. This is in the interests of a richer learning experience.
'Active readers' are therefore briefed to set aside time, notice any feelings, thoughts and memories triggered by the read and they are encouraged to highlight, comment and make notes all over the document. Above all, active readers are advised that all reactions and responses are valid, however oblique they may seem.
In the research active readers have read the histories and sent marked-up copies back to me. In this way I can see the way people are engaging with the learning history. At the participative workshop we asked participants to read one history in depth in this way.
Workbooks - a snapshot of the active reader's response
To get a feel for how they were responding, we then asked the participants to transfer notes they had made into a workbook. The workbook prompted for 'top of the head' reactions to the history. It asked too for comments relating to the history but also for comments relating to the 'active reader's' experience that he/she felt was related. We then copied the workbooks and now are in possession of a very rich collective response to the set of learning histories.
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