Navigation Skills

When we talk about navigating through documents, we are talking about using the following skills:

1. Understanding the structure or organization of the document.
2. Skimming to gain a general impression.
3. Setting questions/Identifying key words and phrases (What am I looking for?/What am I being asked to find?/What words or phrases will tell me that I have found what I am looking for?).
4. Making predictions.
5. Scanning to locate information/Cycling through the document to find the information.
6. Synthesizing (combining) and summarizing information to come up with an appropriate response. (comprehension skills).
7. Confirming the correct information has been found.

Navigational Skills Checklist

Look over the material
Think about the organization or structure of the document.
Predict content – make connections to previous knowledge and experience.
Skim to gain general impressions – think about the “big picture”.
Consider: “What am I looking for? What am I being asked to find?”
Identify key words/phrases that will indicate the correct information has been located.
Make predictions of where the information will be found within the document.
Scan through the material looking for key words and phrases – cycle through document.
Continue to make predictions – look for clues (titles, sub-titles, headings, graphics, etc.)
Think about what is being read – make mental note of details.
Monitor comprehension – adjust strategies if necessary.
Locate information.
Summarize the material in your own words.
Consider: “Have I found the information that is needed?”.
Re-check if information answers the original question – access additional sources if necessary.