THREAD. On writing, note-taking, reading, and synthesizing information. This fall, I taught Research Design at the doctoral level, and a Masters' Research (Thesis) Seminar.

Because of the way I like teaching (research design, research methods and mechanics of research), ....

... I quickly realized that teaching Note-Taking Techniques, Reading Strategies, and Synthesis Methods was complicated. It's kind of a chicken and egg problem. What do students need to learn first, reading or taking notes? Teaching strategies for both is hard to do simultaneously

I tried the following sequence:
- Reading Strategies
- Note-Taking Techniques
- Synthesis Methods
- Writing Tips

Turns out that students are thrust into the "you need to read a lot to understand what I am teaching" model quite early during their programmes. This poses challenges

Normally, I would assign Adler and Van Doren's "How to Read a Book" https://t.co/F8vQIIKSfg so that my students can learn various levels of reading.

Only problem? A&VD is a massive 350 pages' book. Just imagine the amount of time it's going to take them to even *skim it*.

After teaching this class over the summer at ITAM and this fall at CIDE and FLACSO, at the Masters and PhD levels, and after decades of teaching undergraduates, I am convinced now that

(a) students need a range (repertoire) of reading strategies