The difference between a program for learning speed reading and a speed reading app

Although apparently the two formulations suggest the same, differences are important and need to be clarified. In clarifying this difference we will start from the definition of speed reading. Speed reading is a human ability that can be transformed into a useful skill through training.

In other words, ability designates a potential that is not yet being used. When this potential begins to be properly stimulated, through training, it turns into usable skill. This skill is fast reading and it brings us a lot of benefits such: earning time, better understanding of information and its more efficient memorization, effective learning, better reading motivation.
And now let's see more clearly what's the difference between a program for learning speed reading and a speed reading app.

The program for learning speed reading is a complete training algorithm.

• It takes into account all the functional and neuropsychic particularities involved in the act of reading and appropriately trains each of them.
• Because eyeballs muscles are involved in the act of reading, they need to be trained appropriately, which requires a longer or shorter (minimum 20-30 days) training interval.
• Systematic repetition of training (ideal everyday) is important in order to achieve efficient performance in fast reading. So do when we want to train any other body muscles.
• Understanding all the mechanisms involved in the act of fast reading generates the confidence that fast reading is possible. Once this confidence is generated, you only need the proper training.
• Our eyes move jerkily on the text when we read. The eyes focus a piece of text (1-2 words) and then jump to the next word or group of words. Useful information is transferred to the brain during the interval of fixation. The jump time is shorter than that for setting the information. During the jump, no useful information is transferred from the text to the brain. However, the muscles of the eyeball work in both cases. During fixation, they focus on the information. Then they also leap to the following words. These muscles work all the time when we read. So a complete workout for quick reading has to take all these aspects into account in order to produce performance, that is, to help the trainee actually develop their reading skills.
• Fast reading is no longer lost once it has been taught. It can be used regardless of whether the text support is the paper or the screen of a device.

A fast reading app partially meets the same requirements. However, some requirements are not satisfied. Let's see how.
The application is actually used to read text faster and NOT used for training. In other words, it is not necessarily systematically used.
The most popular apps are those that traverse text through a small window on a device's screen. In the window, one or more words in the text will be visible at a time within a time frame that corresponds to a user-set reading speed. In this way, all of the text will pass through that window and will be readable, usually at a speed higher than the usual read speed of the user.
The mechanism driven by this type of application is to block the need for the jump between words normally performed by the muscles of the eyeball. The muscles will only focus on the text but will not make the leap. This way of doing generates a small surplus of resources to read something faster but does NOT completely train the muscles of the eyeball. The consequences of systematic use of these applications will produce far more other results than fast reading training programs.

• The first consequence is the increasing dependence on the device when you want to read.
• The second consequence is that reading texts on paper will be more and more difficult to achieve because the eyes muscles will gradually diminish the ability to jump between words, essential when reading naturally.
• The third consequence will be linked to the selectivity of texts that will be read because not yet any text can be electronically transposed to be inserted into the application. Or the effort to transpose it will be unreasonably high.
• The fourth consequence is that fast reading skill is not properly trained and, indirectly, natural reading is impaired over time. The result is demotivation in relation to reading.

In conclusion, we can say that fast reading skill training programs are preferred when we want to be independent when reading. We can choose any kind of text on any kind of support, and the skill, once learned, can be used anytime.

Speed reading applications are interesting in the exploration and familiarization phase with fast reading. They can be used punctually to test your own potential and the benefits of fast reading. However, as a long-term solution they are contraindicated because, through systematic use, they can alter the natural process of reading.

For more information read about the 5 arguments for which fast reading is accessible to you.
​See also here an Infographic available in English language.