Evelyn Wood is one of the most famous educators of the twentieth century. In fact, the term "speed reading" was coined by her. She was a renowned teacher who taught students how to read quickly, with comprehension and overall effectiveness.
She was a short, middle-aged schoolteacher who was not an academic, but who developed a technique that was later called "speed reading" and "reading dynamics." Her approach was not a new idea. It had been used in the past by teachers and scientists. However, it gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. And, of course, it was not only taught in schools, but by NASA and the White House.
When Evelyn Wood was young, she was a member of the Mormon church. She lived in Tucson, Arizona, and was a schoolteacher. As she grew older, she had a health problem that required surgery. This left her with a slim silhouette and a hyperthyroid condition. That did not stop her from taking a job in a school district that allowed her to pilot her revolutionary reading technique.
Evelyn's speed reading method was a sensation. She made her way to the White House and was even invited to teach speed-reading lessons to President John F. Kennedy.
Evelyn's method, called the Reading Dynamics system, consisted of a series of exercises to help students increase their reading speed. The system employed a zigzag motion down the page to increase word retention, and also stressed overall reading efficiency. By using a retrained finger as a pacer, students were able to read chunks of text without noticing if they were from a different source.
But, as with all things, there was a downside to her "life's work". It turned out that her method wasn't all that useful, and in the process, she was conned. A study done by Ehrlich found that readers who could read more than 6,000 words per minute did not have a better comprehension rate.
While Evelyn Wood's reading dynamics were well received, it's not uncommon to hear complaints from others who have tried her technique. Many of them say that it is simply too hard. Others are concerned that it teaches children to avoid reading, and others claim that it wastes valuable time.
One of her former students, Dan Warner, now works as the national director of Evelyn Wood Programs. He has demonstrated reading speeds of up to 18,000 words per minute.
During the Cold War, the government invested in education. There were numerous centers opened around the country for people to learn the Evelyn Wood reading technique. But, in the end, five centers failed.
While Evelyn Wood was never a perfect person, she was the best known educator of the twentieth century. Whether she was a saint or a sinner, she has done much to improve education. Some people may find her tactics offensive, but the technique itself is a powerful tool that will make reading much easier.
For anyone who has struggled with reading, speed-reading techniques may be an ideal solution. It can save a lot of time and frustration, and it can actually be fun. Nevertheless, it is important to be skeptical about the claims of speed readers. If they are not serious about their technique, they are just fighting the system.
Very interesting