Reading

The study guide for my current module (Managing Systemic Change) makes several references to the importance of how to read including:

• "create time and space for reading"
• "I remind you that reading is quite demanding and needs preparation to be done well"
• "Take responsibility for managing your active reading"

I've studied before so took these recommendations without much thought.  I thought I knew how to read to learn.  However, the core text (Systems Practice: How to Act, Ray Ison, 2010) is very demanding to read.  And even more difficult to retain.

Some of the language is obscure and is not found in everyday use (eg ontology).  This makes reading challenging as I have to pause to remind (or re-remind) myself of the meaning.

Some of it is language which is in everyday use (eg tradition).   However the specific meaning within the context of systems practice is very precisely defined, so when reading, even when I come across a commonly used word I need to pause to remember what it means within this context.

So reading becomes a very slow, careful, time consuming, demanding activity.  If there is the slightest  noise or conversation or movement it breaks my concentration and I have to go back several steps to refocus and start again.  And often I have to take a break to reflect and digest what I've read.  And often I go back to re-read sections which reveals that I have forgotten or misunderstood or missed bits.

My daughter is dyslexic.  I now finally really understand how much of an effort it is for her to read