How to do Abstract Integrative Reading

Inspiration flowed while reading Study Methods & Motivation Chapters "How to do Abstract Reading" and "How to do Abstract Integrative Reading".  I realized that much of his commentary mirrors what I've learned about "meaningful learning" theory proposed by Ausubel.  Besides implications for my own reading, I brainstormed how I can create class exercises for my students that would facilitate this type of reading.  My take away is that I'll spend the first day of class showing students the following process, perhaps even giving them worksheets to fill in.  I provide my own analysis to "How to do Abstract Integrative Reading" below.

1. Start with a definition of the concept you read - but state in your own words.

2. Why is the concept important?

3. Describe the concept (this is where you integrate the concept with your current body of knowledge)

4. Provide examples

1. Definition

Abstract Integrative Reading is a skill used when reading where a book's ideas are integrated into one's current context of knowledge.

2. Importance

Abstract integrative reading is critical for developing a deep understanding of ideas.  This skill makes reading purposeful and useful for thinking and reasoning.  Improving this skill will ultimately help me gain knowledge systematically while reading, allowing me to make better decisions and live a happier, more successful life.

3. Description

Abstract integrative reading includes the ability to define a term appropriately, neither too broad nor too narrow - neither too vague nor too concrete - and avoiding subjective interpretations.  Although Locke never explicitly states it, this approach to study compliments Ayn Rand's theory of concepts.  What I mean by deep understanding of ideas is that this process for reading will make sense to me on many levels.  If I can identify cause/effect relationships, similarities and differences, implications, or categories for concepts, then I can communicate those concepts with ease because I can rephrase my words depending on the context.  Its important that these concepts be integrated with one's context of knowledge because like all learning, concepts should not be floating in the ether regions or else they will fall victim to rote memorization. For example, I identified the similarities with abstract integrative learning with Rand's theory of concepts and Ausubel's Meaningful learning.  I've further integrated his suggestions into another context, my teaching, by developing this process.  Abstract integrative reading provides me with the mechanisms for meaningful learning such that readings will persist in my mind for the long-term and can be used to help me make decisions in the future. 

4. Examples

If a book provides examples, I can brainstorm my own examples that fit within the concept. 

This blog post is an example of the output from abstract integrative reading.  

Notes I take on books or articles I read help facilitate abstract integrative reading.

How to Improve my Writing

I've completed my outline of study for my project in improving my writing.  The best place to start is in a review of my study methods, particularly reading.  For that, Study Methods & Motivation by Ed Locke is where I start.  Then, a general overview of non-fiction writing is in order, so The Art of Nonfiction and The Brief Holt Handbook are next on the agenda.  Lastly, the applied discipline of academic research will be reviewed, where Writing in the Discipline and various academic articles in MIS should complete my study and engender further integrations.

1. Study Methods & Motivation

• Reread Chapter 3. How to do Abstract Reading, Chapter 4. How to Do Abstract Integrative Reading, and Chapter 5. How to Identify and Designate What is Important
• Identify a plan of action for improving my reading skills

2.  Brief Holt Handbook

• Review basic language terminology and rules by skimming chapters 2-14
• Review my writing over the past few years and identify common grammatical errors I commit
• Identify a plan of action to avoid these errors in the future
• Edit all academic articles with lessons learned.

3. The Art of Nonfiction

• Read every chapter
• Write up a summary of each chapter
• Write 1 op ed
• Write 1 book review
• Edit all academic articles with lessons learned

4. Brief Holt Handbook, again

• Chapter 1 and Chapters 36-40
• Compare with Art of Nonfiction - write a comparison article
• Write 1 op ed
• Write 1 book review
• Edit all academic articles with lessons learned

5.  Writing in the Discipline

• Read Preparing to Write Research, Developing an Argument, and Writing in the Social Sciences.
• Compare with Holt and Art of Nonfiction - write a comparison article
• Edit all academic articles with lessons learned

6. MIS Quarterly and Information Systems Research

• Review articles published in the past 5 years (particularly Best Paper awards)
• Identify common formats and styles
• Write a blog post on these identifications
• Edit all academic articles with lessons learned
• Identify a plan of action to continue to improve my writing skills

These six reading assignments and various writing assignments will make for a heavy workload this summer.  With selling our house and moving, I may not be able to complete everything on this list.  But I at least I have something to push myself into being the best writer that I can be.  I should, however, be able to make a large dent into this project over May and June.  July will be mostly consumed with moving.  I may find time in the evenings, if I'm not too tired.  Then, I have have just 2 weeks in August before returning full time to academic requirements.  I would also like to spend some time during the summer learning some advanced web techniques, so occasionally, I may put this project on hold.

The end of the weekly goals

While I have been good about writing my goals every week, I think I'll stop posting them to my blog for now.  Its not that the weekly goals haven't helped me direct my week (they have), but I've found posting to my blog does not keep the goals visible enough for me.  So I'll likely use my wipe board for tracking weekly goals.

Instead, I want to write at least once a week on other topics (yet to be determined).

What are you doing this summer?

Next week, final will be done and my summer vacation officially begins.  I do have one class to teach in May-June, but its one I've taught before so it will require minimal time and effort (8-10 hours per week).  Unfortunately, I'm not quite as ambitious as Phineas and Ferb, but here is what I'm going to do this summer.

My number 1 project this summer - Move to North Carolina.
That's right - for those of you who haven't heard yet, I have accepted a position at East Carolina University as an Assistant Professor of Information Systems.  This move will likely be our last for a very long time.  So my primary goal for the summer is managing our move and handling our house.  While ideally we will sell our house, the market in southeast Michigan is horrendous for sellers.  So there is a distinct possibility that our house will not sell.  In which case, option two is to rent it.  Either way, we have lots to keep us on our toes.  And then, when move time comes, we have to finish packing, drive cross country, and settle into our new home.  Lots and lots of stress, but worth it in the end.

My second most important project this summer - Improve my writing skills.
I consider myself an okay writer, but not great.  What I lack is the capability of writing fast and with high quality. Too often, I find myself writing a blog post or a research article that upon review, contains numerous mistakes and/or poorly worded sentences.  When I attempt to edit these mistakes, I rush through it, leaving additional problems.  With practice, focus, and feedback, I am confident I can improve my skills in writing.  The Art of Non-fiction by Ayn Rand, Writing in the Disciplines, and Brief Holt Handbook will guide my study.  Blog posts and research articles (I have two in mind) will provide material for practice.  And hopefully I can work with various friends to perform copy-editing on my completed materials (I will pay if you are interested).  As our budget allows, I may follow this summer project with an effective writing/communication class.  Eventually, I would like to write a book or two, so the better my skills, the greater the payoff!

My third project this summer - Improve my skills in advanced web development.
I am still debating between PHP and ASP.NET.  One the basics of each, but have not actively built websites in a number of years.  Whichever one I choose, I want to experiment and improve my ability to create new, slick, high quality websites quickly.  If I focus on PHP, I will probably combine that project with learning the content management system called Drupal. Perhaps I will even create a web site for making a little money on the side.  There is also a 9 hour video on learning Flash sitting on my desk.  Watching those videos and practicing some Flash programming might be rocking good fun too!

So those are my plans.  What are you doing this summer?

Productivity software

I've finally found something that is meeting my needs in organizing my productivity.  The program ActionComplete, designed to facilitate the Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology, syncs a web based and Android based software that allows me to work from my desktop and my phone.  The software does not fully implement GTD, but does a reasonably good job meeting my most pressing needs.

One positive practice that I've gained by using ActionComplete has been requiring myself to add at least one action item or wait time for projects on my list (currently 15 projects strong).  This practice helps me to focus on moving all of my projects forward and identifying projects that are languishing.  It also gives me the confidence to add more projects to my list without overwhelming myself.  If I keep this up, I'll meet my goal of 20% increase in productivity in a very short time.

Weekly goals

End of the semester grading and re-conceptualizing an old paper - the two major focuses for this week.

Essential:

• Rewrite 215 exam
• Grade 247 exams
• Prep 215 class
• Review late assignments
• Review missing assignments
• Prepare final grades
• Write recommendation letter
• Reply to all my emails
• Apply edits to Online auction decision paper

Stretch:

• Share new software I'm using
• Paint bathroom trim
• Research land contracts
• Research leasing issues in SE Michigan
• Perform post hoc statistics to auction decision paper

Weekly goals

Almost forgot to write this today.  I got wrapped up with work the second I walked in the door and just now (2 hours later) realized that I forgot.

Last week was very productive.  I submitted an article for review, resubmitted an article under revision, celebrated my son's birthday, showed our house to potential buyers, completed writing a survey (ready to administer this week), mapped out the remainder of the semester, sold our co-sleeper, starting selling our cribs (though many people didn't reply to our emails, so we will try again), and played Risk with my buddy Dave over xBox.  Let's see if I can keep up the pace!

Essentials:

• Prep for IS 215 
• Write final exams
• Grade assignments
• Start editing online auction decisions article
• Deploy ethics survey
• Advertise cribs
• Administer evaluations

Stretch:

• Review IS 315 syllabus for Spring semester
• Review textbooks for IS 315
• Create grading rubric for 247 and 606 projects
• Review financial plan
• Clean and declutter garage