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If you want to learn how to speed read, you have different opportunities you might want to try. These include speed reading books, speed reading software, and speed reading seminars.

All these methods of improving your reading speed and comprehension have their own advantages and disadvantages.

The benefits of speed reading seminars are that speed reading seminars are sociable, generally effective (at least in the short term), and less time-consuming than researching and learning speed reading all by yourself.

The environment in which speed reading seminars are conducted is more sociable than, for example, self-learning through speed reading software. People are social creatures and some people find speed reading seminars more stimulating than studying alone. Your attention span increases and you might find the speed reading lesson more enjoyable than if you studied speed reading alone.

Another benefit of speed reading seminars relates to motivation. With speed reading seminars, you have appointments to keep and a schedule to maintain. Some people do not have a strong sense of self-motivation. They will spend time on creating a schedule to follow, devising steps, and allocating time to do certain self-imposed lessons, but never actually get around to learning anything. So, if you have trouble motivating yourself, then speed reading seminars may be for you.

The human brain is more receptive to a combination of visual and audio stimuli. The human brain retains information in the following ratios: 20% for written content, 30% for audio content, and 50% for image content. When audio-video content is combined, the brain retains about 75% of the information.

We are stimulated more when there is a visual presentation with actual examples and verbal explanations of the facts. An even greater way of retaining information is through experiencing the examples ourselves, as we do in practical courses such as speed reading seminars.

Also, in a speed reading seminar, you have a chance to test your understanding of speed reading concepts. For example, you have the opportunity to ask questions and to debate with others and to correct any ideas you have misunderstood. You will have your progress monitored by another person who will adapt the material to your learning style and you will have the opportunity to receive constructive feedback.

Of course, modern speed reading software, such as the popular 7-Speed Reading software, has incorporated many of the advantages of speed reading seminars into the software itself.

For example, 7-Speed Reading software combines written content with a large audio-visual component; provides feedback in the form of progress charts and scores; and provides interactive speed reading exercises. The software also has the advantage of being available whenever you feel like taking a speed reading lesson.