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It’s 2015 already, but did you keep up with last year’s software reviews on speed reading software, 7 Speed Reading™? If 2015 is the year you are planning on mastering speed reading, then you ought to read what others say about eReflect’s reading improvement program.

Top Ten Reviews gives 7 Speed Reading™ a near perfect rating, 99.5%

Top Ten Reviews, a renowned software evaluator trusted by millions of Internet users, had put eReflect’s software to the test. After rigorous assessments the editor announced that the program is a leader in its category, giving the software a 9.95/10 score.

In a detailed review of the software’s features and technologies, the Top Ten Reviews editor focuses on five aspects of the program: its reading level and exercises (9.8/10), methods and materials available (10/10), features set (10/10), reporting (10/10), and finally help and support (10/10). The reviewer, Noel Case, emphasizes that the software’s entertaining and complete approach to teaching speed reading are unrivaled.

But that was in 2014.

Top Ten Reviews rates 7 Speed Reading™ with 9.95/10 for 2015

For its 2015 rankings, Top Ten Reviews insisted on its previous stellar ratings of 7 Speed Reading™ . The verdict comes as no surprise, as the editors note, saying, “User friendly, feature rich and effective, 7 Speed Reading is the best speed-reading application on the market.”

Typing Lounge and Mark Ways acknowledge 7 Speed Reading™’s superiority

Typing Lounge is another site that thoroughly tested and evaluated 7 Speed Reading™ against other reading improvement software products. Typing Lounge and Mark Ways have found that 7 Speed Reading™ offers a unique set of features and technologies that make it stand out from its competition. The reviewer stated in his 2014 review that 7 Speed Reading™ has industry-leading status thanks to its unrivaled combination of capacities and features.

Spreeder emphasizes 7 Speed Reading™’s effectiveness

A child project of 7 Speed Reading™, Spreeder, offers a review of and in-depth look at the program. This website focused the evaluation on how the program is essential in the classroom, listing the ways it is able to help children improve their reading habits and let go of habits that sabotage their academic performance.

Spreeder asserts that speed reading helps students master reading and other reading-related assignments much faster and effortlessly, motivating them to keep improving their academic efficiency. For the latest reviews of the 7 Speed Reading™ 2015 check here.

Cross-posted on the 7 Speed Reading blog.

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Speed Reading Lounge proclaims 7 Speed Reading™ software by eReflect the top software for 2015. If there’s one site dedicated to the skill of speed reading that’ s Speed Reading Lounge; it helps people understand the significance of speed reading and offers them tips and how-tos on improving their reading skill so that they can learn more with less effort, and in less time.

Speed Reading Lounge recently published a detailed, comprehensive list they’ve named “Best Speed Reading Software for 2015.” 7 Speed Reading™ by eReflect topped the list with its unrivaled set of features, technologies, and benefits.

The Speed Reading Lounge top 5 list for speed reading software is as follows:

1.   7 Speed Reading™
2.   Ace Reader Lite
3.   Iris Reading
4.   Reader’s Edge
5.   EyeQ Deluxe

The Speed Reading Lounge editor used his detailed review to focuses on the fact that 7 Speed Reading™ is a popular and renowned speed reading tool. 7 Speed Reading provides a surefire way to improve reading efficiency through expert-designed lessons, activities, and interactive games that are fun to practice with. As the editor notes, this is something consumers and software editors know very well, and have known since the first release of this popular software by eReflect.

The program helps people improve their reading habits through 7 distinct reading strategies and techniques that first eliminate bad reading habits and then help the reader adopt more time-efficient and comprehension-promoting ones. The reviewer states that 7 Speed Reading™ is the go-to speed reading program, saying that it is “[r]ecommended by thousands of students and professionals who have tried and tested it. The quality of videos and exercises makes it an effective guiding tool, making it superior to its competitors. It is beneficial for anyone at any age. Family and friends can take advantage of this program as there are no limits to user accounts.”

For the Speed Reading Lounge editor, eReflect’s software is without peer. Its winning combination of features, functionality, and state-of-the-art activities and tools ensure effortless and quick improvement of anyone’s speed reading skill.

Cross-posted on the 7 Speed Reading blog.

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Familiar with the characters in this short clip? Maybe you can also share it with the children of today’s generation.

Is there some scientific rationale behind our reading habits and predilections? Why, for example, do you sometimes find that you can’t even finish a book that critics and your friends alike say they couldn’t stop reading?

Reading is a deeply mental experience people engage in on an individual, more than a social, level. A person reads for pleasure, for knowledge, for entertainment, for mentally escaping. But what’s the one factor that makes  it impossible for some readers to put a book down? Is there even one single reason that is common to every reader?

In fact, there are many reasons why people get hooked by a book. Even if a book initially disappoints a reader, readers do sometimes keep reading. There are several reasons:

• They’re curious to find out what happens in the end.

• They dislike the thought of leaving something unfinished.

• They have faith the author will not disappoint them in the end.

• They’re in the middle of a series, and have to read this book before the next one.

• They think ending is what tells if a book was worth it or not.

GoodReads.com users cite these and others as the main reasons why they often feel they have to finish a book they’ve started. However, for some people these rules simply don’t apply. In fact, book abandonment rates are soaring, as another book list on GoodReads.com reveals.

Book Abandonment

Looking at the GoodReads.com abandoned book shelf, you quickly see that a book’s best-selling status is not a trustworthy index as to the books’ acceptance by readers. So while a book might have a groundbreaking storyline and a compelling anti-hero, not everyone will like it.

This explains why readers might have enjoyed J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, but not the style she adopts with her adult-oriented novel,  The Casual Vacancy. It also explains why classic novels like Moby Dick are not to everyone’s liking, much less the range of best-sellers found in airports around the world.

The most cited reason why we have the urge to put a book down without finishing it, according to GoodReads.com users, is a slow beginning or a non-engaging writing style. Not liking the main character, and books that have a weak plot, are two other popular reasons cited in comments on the site.

Other reasons given by people who’ve abandoned popular and classic books range from a hero’s immorality or character incongruence, to a “stupid” plot, and even bad editing of the book, especially in ebook format.

Ultimately, book reading is a truly personal experience. In fact, mood plays a vital role as to what reaction a reader will have to a given book at any given time. If you’re not in a particular mood or even stage in your life you may not like a book that would otherwise become your personal favorite if read a few years before, or later. A teen version of you would interpret Catch 22 differently than you would as a 45-year old, true? Your book selection can even change depending on the time of day or year.

The advantage of rereading books is that you know you won’t be disappointed. This is why many people seem to frequently return to old favorites, and even books that they read as children: for the extra layer of meaning and for the satisfaction of knowing they’ll enjoy the book to the very end.

Cross-posted on the 7 Speed Reading blog.

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It’s that time of the year again! Are you ready to do your holiday shopping for your friends, relatives, and loved ones?

“Gift cards for everyone would be an excellent idea,” you might think. Everyone gets to buy what they want from a brand they love, right? But a gift card implies that you haven’t put much thought into the gift – or the person you’re giving that gift to. Buying a gift card might say, “I was too lazy to even bother look for a gift, so here’s some free money. Oh, and Merry Christmas!” This is not the true meaning of a gift. Gift giving is about taking the time and effort to make a meaningful, thoughtful gift to a loved one.

A Book

For those friends and family members who love curling up in their book nest with a cup of tea, books make an easy but entirely appropriate gift. Whether you choose a New York Times best-seller or a classic title is entirely up to the recipient’s taste, so think about what you’ve seen them reading before you buy.

The Gift of Better Orthography

Do you have a colleague who is getting a bad reputation for their misspelled memos? Give them a helping hand with a gift of spelling software like Ultimate Spelling™. No more embarrassing misspellings in emails, reports, and PowerPoint presentations  – you coworker will be a friend for life.

A Rich(er) Vocabulary

Communication is a vital part of daily life. So for children and young adults whose vocabulary could use a little push, why not offer them Ultimate Vocabulary™ by eReflect? This software will allow them to expand and make their vocabulary richer and more relevant and will eventually help them become better communicators, negotiators, and writers. This is a good gift for someone about to graduate from school because it will help them get the vocabulary they need to succeed in the job market.

Pro Keyboarding Skills

Do you know someone who is struggling with modern technology? Maybe they can’t figure out how to video chat with you on Hangouts, or they take forever to reply to your Facebook messages because their typing skills are poor to non-existent. Ultimate Typing™ would be the perfect gift for that person, because it will help them “level up” their keyboarding skills in no time. Of course, that might mean you’ll be getting texts and messages from them more often, but you can handle that, right?

A Visit

Sometimes a gift doesn’t have to be something tangible. Pay a visit to your grandmother, have lunch with a friend from college, or invite someone you haven’t seen in years to your Christmas party. The gift of kindness and love are truly priceless!

An Extravagant Pampering Gift

A pampering, extravagant gift is always appropriate for those special people in your life. Your hard-working mother, your significant other, your best friend – no matter who that person, do your homework and offer them a gift they will be raving about for weeks to come. It could be a spa session, a two-day mini trip, or anything the person you have in mind will fancy.

Gourmet Pleasures For the Foodies

From artisanal jams made with vodka to one-of-a-kind tea blends and limited-edition vintage wines, offer your foodie friends a mouthwatering experience they can Instagram to their heart’s content.

Whether you choose to get gifts that expand your friends’ career options or their waistlines is up to you! There are plenty of compelling gift ideas to choose from. Don’t go for run-of-the-mill, uninspiring gift cards. Instead, offer a thoughtful gift and get the joy of seeing faces lit up with excitement when they unwrap them come Christmas.

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Next time you’re bored out of your mind, don’t reach for your smartphone, reach for a book instead. Reading books provides a range of benefits you may not be aware of. In fact, the more books you
read, the more awesome you will be.

Reading makes you (more) empathetic

Reading fiction gives you an inside peek into scenarios and realities you couldn’t otherwise live yourself. This opens up your critical thinking capabilities and activates your empathy sensors. You become more aware and sensitive to people’s plights, cultures, and customs, and feel more forgiving and nurturing where you might have once been condescending or inflexible.

Reading is an immersive experience

A good novel will have you questioning reality. A good novel will drag you so deeply into its plot that your identification with the protagonist will be mind-blowing and reality-blurring. Enough said.

Reading is knowledge

You can watch a documentary or tutorial to learn a new skill but nothing beats the original experience of reading, processing, and understanding new knowledge or how-tos all by yourself.

Reading is a bottomless chest from which you will always be able to get a few jewels — with each book and each tale.

Reading is traveling for your soul

Reading helps you leave all your workaday troubles behind, even if for a short moment. It empties your mind until you’re powerful enough to confront your daily demons.

Reading is entertainment

For the bibliophiles out there, reading is a matchless experience. Reading gives you immense joy. It engages your senses and enthralls your mind with scenery, plots, and mind-blowing images.

Reading makes you interesting

From learning smart, little-known facts, to initiating great discussions with friends, reading makes you a knowledgeable, interesting person people will love to hang out with.

Reading is inspiration

Reading stimulates your creativity. You start thinking critically and more boldly, all because you’ve already been exposed to various scenarios and have garnered the tools and knowledge to be less ordinary and more unique.

Reading is growth

Even if you don’t read a self-improvement book per se, virtually any well-written book will help you become a better person. From building your self-esteem to becoming better at decision-making, books give you the tools to cope with life’s conundrums — and the ever-important Zombie apocalypse.

Reading is power

It’s a cliché but it’s nonetheless true: reading empowers you. The knowledge and worlds you experience when reading give you confidence and wisdom on how to deal with real life situations more gracefully and wisely.

Reading is your key to becoming a better person in all aspects of your life

Reading is how you improve your marketability, your communication skills, your empathy and emotional intelligence, your appeal — and even your sexiness. Reading is one of the few habits known to man that you can never have too much of. So go on, read on!

Bonus benefit

If you speed read you get to reap all these benefits in a shorter time. Awesome, right?

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What would we do without technology? There are so many advantages for the modern reader, now that we are no longer limited to printed books. Yes, your ereader might not be the best thing to take to the bathtub or the beach, but you wouldn’t want to drop a printed book in the water either! The ability to carry an entire library around with you more than makes up for any extra care you might have to take with an electronic reading device – and soon you might not even have to do that.

Technology keeps advancing with gigantic strides and this only means one thing for us: our day to day activities become easier, our hobbies grow more pleasant, and most importantly, our education and careers advance further.

Waterproof ereaders

Technology  has been exuberantly generous in giving us what we want, and most people have ultra smart mini computers that fit into our pockets. And now, there are waterproof ereaders we can take with us whenever and wherever we please — beach and bath included!

Kobo Aura H20 is a waterproof ereader with the main capacities and features of any ereader. But this device has something more: it’s the only one that has the added, much-coveted benefit of not being scared of water. Kobo Aura H20 can be immersed under 1 meter of water for up to half an hour without any damage done to its internal mechanism and screen.

As a result, high-risk, must-avoid places like the beach, the swimming pool, or the bath no longer apply to users of the Kobo Aura H20 ereader. While the Kobo Aura H2o is one of a kind for now, more ereader developers are focusing their attention towards this market demand for waterproof ereaders.

In fact, such technological advancements will become the norm in the years to follow as more companies will seek to offer their clients a seamless reading experience that’s not defined and limited by the environment (dust, sunlight, water).

Educational Technology For Struggling Learners

The impact technology has had and will be having on education can never be truly measured. Apps, software, and several other technological innovations like Fast ForWard and Read 180 are now serving many struggling students across the globe helping them acquire the fundamental literacy skills of the 21st century: reading, writing, speaking skills, and touch typing.

From programs that are integrated in classes and help children process information more effectively and quickly, to software like 7 Speed Reading™ that help students improve their word per minute rate and read more in less time (and therefore reap all the benefits of reading), Ed Tech is at this very moment serving millions of people with their educational growth.

From offering students reading motivation, to being able to use authentic speech patterns in ESL classrooms, to fully immersing students into the idiosyncrasies of English pronunciation through video and online media, the world of educational technology has come a long way.

Educational Technology And Motivated Learners

One of the most definitive benefits of technology is that it motivates and intrigues learners. It lures them into the world of knowledge and exploration simply by being an appealing medium.

A study (Harvey, 2002) looked into the typical learner’s motivation and found that an increased control over learning choices makes students more eager to engage with reading, as opposed to students who are told to what and how they should be learning.

Young students are well versed in technology and new media, and giving them the control and trust they deserve can increase their self-esteem and give them the confidence to explore and satisfy their curiosity and drive to learn.

Knowledge is mostly acquired through reading, and being able to advance your reading skills could help you remain ahead of the crowd. Expert reading skills will let you reap all the benefits of being a knowledgeable, passionate, powerful individual who’s expert in their field of choice.

It’s sometimes just too tempting to spend your free time playing games on your smartphone, or hanging out with your friends. That’s fun, for sure, but spending your time more constructively will provide you with more benefits in the long term.

There’s really no excuse for saying, “I’m bored out of my mind,” given the many fun activities you can try. Choose any of the following activities and make the most out of your free time!

Read a good novel, or a self-development book

Reading should be your go-to habit when you have free time on your hands. Reading expands your knowledge and keeps you up to date with new developments in your career. Not to mention that the news and knowledge you gain will make you an interesting person at parties and social gatherings!

Utilize your free time for learning. It will help you professionally and personally. Create a free-time reading list and go back to it each time you’ve a few hours to kill.

Keep your mind, knowledge, and memory sharp with a self-development book or biography, if fiction is not your cup of tea, and you’ll get two benefits in one.

Write/Blog/Live Tweet

If you think you’re as a good a writer as Shakespeare, why not make your own attempts at it?

Even if you don’t, writing is an excellent way to spend some time. It doesn’t have to be anything formal you will submit to a publishing house. Do it for fun, do it to sharpen your writing skills, and nurture your creativity!

Try guest blogging on anything you’re passionate and knowledgeable about — from Star Trek to the Kawaii Japanese culture. Live tweet a special TV or sport event or blog to get those thoughts and feelings out of your system and into the wider world.

Learn a new language

You’ve probably heard this tip a thousand times, but being bilingual offers many cognitive, social, and professional benefits. It’s a shame not to even try it at least!

Just think of all the French movies you will get to enjoy without having to read the subtitles.

Take a course

You know how you always thought you were destined to be a philosopher? Even if your degree says MBA, you can always go nurture your passion for philosophy by enrolling in a free academic class. Look for one of the courses offered by many high-profile universities including Harvard, MIT, Yale, and more.

Sharpen your brain and memory

Brain games are notorious for being addictive, just like other games, but these have a point. Get hooked on a brain game by choosing any game from a great online resource such as Lumosity.com and Fitbrains.com by Rosetta Stone. There are also various app-based ones like 92 Logic Games and Left Vs Right.

Cooking

Many people find cooking a creative, stress-releasing activity. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a novice who is just starting to experiment with new foods, cooking can be an exhilarating experience.

Try to see cooking as a stress-relieving activity instead of something you have to do every day. Take the opportunity to recreate some childhood classics – it might not be exactly like your mum’s lasagna, but just picture the satisfaction you’ll feel when you put that first mouthwatering cheese-dripping bite in your mouth.

Star-gazing and astronomy

Feed your existential preoccupations and romantic side with star-gazing. Name a star via an online service for that special someone in your life or subscribe to NASA’s newsletter and prestigious magazines like the Sky and Telescope and All About Space magazines to become an astronomy buff.

Volunteer

Share your time, skills. and knowledge with people who need it. Check volunteering opportunities at your campus, school, or community and you will find one you will be able to contribute through.

The possibilities for projects and learning are limitless. Make an annual list of things, skills, and  activities you want to accomplish and make sure you check one after the other each time you have free time to spare.

Technology advances at a pace we can hardly keep up with.  The old sci-fi movie scenario where you could control everything around by pressing a button, typing a few keystrokes, or swiping a touchpad is no longer the realm of fiction – it’s a reality.

For many people, the demands required to cope with new technological advances is a cause of stress. The complexity of learning to use and make the most out of new technologies often makes people anxious and reluctant to integrate them in their professional and personal lives.

The inevitable question is this: how do we keep up with a constantly evolving world that’s becoming more and more tech-driven?

The answer is simple: we keep evolving, too.

As technology makes giant strides to improve our lives, we should be following its lead. If we want our lives to improve, we need to build the skills necessary for to take advantages of technology.

Build Your Tech Vocabulary

New technologies generally mean new words to learn. You need to understand the words and how to use them in order to be relevant and efficient in communicating with others. Building your vocabulary could help you understand more of the tech-based discourse you’ll find in most fields these days, even those that are not directly based in IT support and development.

Build Your Typing Skills

Keyboard-based devices are becoming more widespread. They already reign over the workplace, and are moving into more areas of the home.

You work on your desktop computer, watch movies on your tablet while commuting back home, and engage on social media through your smartphone while having dinner. Even if your typing skills are fairly weak, you will be still able to perform all these activities – you’ll just end up doing it in a counterintuitive, time-consuming manner.

Learning to touch type more efficiently is one skill that will help you cope better with technologies at home and at work. You will be able to work productively on any keyboard-based device, and do so  in less time. This will give you a sense of confidence and sovereignty over your technology. In other words, you’ll rule the device, instead of giving it power over you.

Read More, Read Often

Simply improving your typing skills and related vocabulary won’t suffice, however. There’s still a lot you can do in order to not just cope with technology, but actively leverage it to improve your life.

Start reading a lot of articles, blogs, and books on how new technologies work. Learn what the future could look like if scientists figure out ways to implement affordable technologies in our lives. Be one of the people who are “in the know” when it comes to new developments and new tech trends.

Technology has great potential, and there will always be new ways that it helps businesses grow and flourish. On a personal level, technology can enable people to capitalize on their skills and competencies in order to improve their lives.

Technology makes it possible for us to have responsive organizations: companies that are willing and able to adapt, revisit, and respond to a world that never stops changing and surprising us.

Don’t let technology intimidate you. Embrace its elegant beauty and stunning potential.

Yes, uncertainty and mistakes are part and parcel of using new technologies, but so is exhilaration and efficiency. Instead of running away from technology, try learning to use it. Experience the whole new world it makes available to you and you will soon wonder why on Earth you avoided it before.

Technology will first change how we work, and then the way we live. Just make sure you’re a competent and willing learner of technology, and it will be good to you!

We at Spreeder don’t discriminate between hard copy book reading and digital reading when we’re talking about the importance of reading in general. We believe that each method has a unique set of perks. What’s more, we know all of you are different types of readers, each with your own respected preferable reading habits. Some of you are hardcore soft copy readers, who prefer the feel of a printed book. Some of you have abandoned print books entirely and embraced digital publishing entirely. But most of you use both media, depending on your needs, the context, and your mood.

If you’re passionate about the printed book and you’ve been reluctant to read with an ereader, we’d like to present you with 6 ways ereaders actually change (read: improve) your reading habits. Who knows, by the end of this post perhaps you’ll be convinced to give ereaders a try from time to time!

It’s Easier!

An ereader is super light. If you frequently favor long reads you can testify to how difficult it is to balance a heavy 600-page book in your hand.

The heaviness of a book interferes with the pleasures of reading and your cramped fingers and wrist often keep grounding you back in reality, pulling you from the imaginary world of the book you’re enjoying. Yikes.

An ereader gives you a distraction-free reading space where physical limitations don’t interfere with your sacred reading ritual.

Privacy

You know how you feel when reading on the subway or other public place when you’re indulging in a “trashy” book you like to relax with. Those prying eyes scrutinizing your book cover – the people profiling you, the reader, by your book cover. Yes, people can be really hurtful sometimes. You don’t have to endure this RPI (Reader Profile Investigation), however, if you are reading on an ereader.

Countless Options

When you have an ereader you have instant access to virtually any book you please. You can purchase it and start reading the latest New York Times best-seller in a blink of an eye.

Besides, who doesn’t love the feeling of having a whole list of books ready and waiting? You’ll never have the frustration of getting to the end of your latest page-turner and having nothing new to read, especially when it’s late and both stores and libraries are closed.

Forgiving Formats

When you’re reading a printed book, you’re relying on the quality of the printer and publisher to give you a clear and legible text to read. Sometimes you don’t get the quality you need. For example, you might be familiar with the sensation of opening a printed book, only to realize that it’s printed in such a small font you have to strain your eyes to read. Or perhaps you accidentally picked up a book from the “large print” section in the library, and the font is so large it’s equally hard to read. With an ereader you won’t have this problem. An ereader is much more forgiving. It lets you increase and decrease font size; some even allow for font change as well. By adjusting the display you can make sure that your reading experience becomes more rewarding.

No More Props

Reading in badly-lit spaces means you need a book light clip so that you don’t disturb the person sleeping next to you. An ereader is a self-contained device that lets you read no matter the hour, the conditions and the place of your choice.

Speed Reading

With an ereader you can speed read non-fiction to your heart’s content. The possibility of running out of books to speed read is quite unlikely. An ereader gives you access to ample books to quench your thirst for new knowledge.

Reading hard copy books is a unique experience that engages more senses than ereaders are capable of. Nonetheless, the benefits of reading on ereaders are important and should not be overlooked. The increasing number of people who switch between conventional and digital reading prove that both have their uses. When it comes to reading, you can have your literary cake – and eat it too!

Cross-posted on the 7 Speed Reading blog.