Customer Reviews

Bridging the Gap: College Reading (8th Edition)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

We use this text for the supplemental/academic skills courses we offer at my community college, for those people whose reading skills are rusty for a number of reasons, including having been out of school for a number of years (sometimes as long as four or five decades), not having paid attention in class in high school, or other low-level literacy related reasons.

This book is well organised for a semester-long course that will bring out many of the critical skills necessary for doing college level work. Regardless of the discipline one goes into in college, one will have to do reading - this is as true in the nursing school, the electronics/drafting programmes, the business skills areas as well as those going on to full-fledge four-year and onward college degrees.

The book begins by exploring issues in active learning and vocabulary, some of the key concepts necessary for comprehending easily what one is reading. From there, particular kinds of reading skills are emphasised - looking for the main idea, recognising patterns of organisation and flow, seeing different points of view in the text, and beginning practice with critical thinking and engagement skills.

Within each section, there are readings and essays designed to strengthen the points being emphasised. These come from a wide variety of sources and cover a lot of different topics, so that they are not all about any particular thing, but rather each student will most likely find something of interest along the way. Each section ends with a vocabulary booster piece, and the final chapter is a very useful guide of test-taking techniques and study tips.

I find the articles very interesting, and the questions developed for the various articles enhance my understanding (this despite the fact that I have, by comparison to the target audience for this text, a very advanced degree of reading capability). This is a popular book among the students who come into our tutoring centre; they have questions and need help with the various concepts, but most like the variety of selections. One particular favourite is the essay entitled 'Monkey Love', by James V. McConnell, that gives a brief history of the Harlow experiments with young monkeys and surrogate mother figures. Essays on terrorism, women in history, low-carb pizza, media influences, Malcolm X (and his story about learning to read), and other pieces relevant to our current culture make reading less of a chore and more of a pleasure, which is key to getting students to progress through the material. The pages are colourful and interesting to look at from a graphic/visual standpoint, which also aids in the learning process.

The title 'Bridging the Gap' is very appropriate, given the task is to bridge the gap between high school (however long ago that was for many students) and college-level reading they will shortly encounter after taking this class.

Since this was the first time I had ever ordered books for school from Amazon I really didn't know what to expect. I found out quickly how the Prime works so I can get the free shipping. I found the item I needed and made mypurchase. It arrived as scheduled which was great. However, not realizing until I was into the class that there were several pages torn out of this book that I purchased. I still have a few more weeks of this class and I am hoping that I will be able to understand past the missing pages. If I had known or seen this as I recevied my book, I would have returned it immediately. I did purchase a used book but it was stated in good condition with some writing or highlighting it never said missing pages or I would have never purchased this item from that seller. I know now that I need to really inspect the used books I purchase and make sure all pages are there.

It is great. It is really helping me in my classes. I am glad I got it.

very good quality and has anwser on it. very cool item! and it is new! not that old book ! love it anyway! best choice!

It came just in time which was sooner than it said it would! And the book was in great condition!

My Daughter was happy with her Book. It was much needed and fast service.

The Cost was less expensive than our college Book Store.

the Book arrived quicker than I thought and it was New NEW it had the disc and everything and for a very good price over all I'm very happy with my purchase.

Found the book quickly thanks to great site set up. Found it at a great price. Good communication with seller, quick delivery, item in great shape.

This book came pretty fast and was in great condition i would by from this person again..

Book was brand new at a great price and I received it within 3 days from the day it was ordered. Good experience.

thanks

ana