Rating: 
Summary: A Much Needed Voice!
Review: "Learning Outside the Lines" is a must read for any college student, but especially students with learning or attentional differences. As a special educator I was impressed with the quality of advice and learning strategies Mr. Mooney and Mr. Cole set forth in their handbook. Many of the study strategies outlined are the same strategies taught in quality classrooms for the learning different. The upbeat philosophy of "Learning Outside the Lines" gives hope to anyone who doesn't seem to "fit" into the traditional educational system. I have brought this book into my elementary resource classroom to show my students with learning differences that they too can succeed despite their own struggles with learning outside the lines of the typical classroom. I also think it is time for our students to find their own voice and become a part of their own educational revolution. The personal stories of Mr. Mooney and Mr. Cole gave me great insight into the struggles of students with learning differences and how the educational system can crush their natural talents with "a one method fits all" philosophy. "Learning Outside the Lines" is a very readable book for students, parents, teachers or anyone who lives, thinks or learns differently.
Rating:
Summary: Study Smarter, Not Harder
Review: “Learning Smarter, Not Harder” by Dave J Ruitenberg
The book, “Learning Outside the Lines,” was written by two academic misfits who, despite their learning problems, managed to graduate from Brown University at the top of their class. Jonathan Mooney is a student who has dyslexia and did not know how to read until he was twelve years old. David Cole, diagnosed with ADHD, was a high school dropout at the tender age of 15. They demonstrate the ability of students to individualize their education and attain academic success by enhancing academic skills in the following three areas: Individualizing your Education, Taking Notes a Step Further, and Writing, Writing, Writing. This is a bold, honest, easy to understand, and eye-opening reading experience. “Learning Outside the Lines,” should be required reading for every student planning to go to college. I chose to read “Learning Outside the Lines,” not only to understand how “unusual learners” a.k.a. “educational misfits,” can adapt to the educational system, but how to empower myself also an “unusual learner.” I can personally appreciate what the authors refer to as college success as applying to my personal goals of educational empowerment during the fall semester at a Community College.
The principle of academic empowerment starts with students learning to control their own destiny in the college environment. For the majority of college students, having a photographic memory, never having to take notes, or having the capability of acing exams without preparation are relegated to the “I wish I had those skills and abilities list”. To utilize the principle of academic empowerment, I sought out both the Tutoring and Writing Center and the Office of Disabled Student Resources. These resources provide free supplemental academic support, on a one-to-one basis. This allows me to not only personalize my educational goals but it allows me to move toward a more individualized academic environment where I can learn the same content, but perhaps in a different format. For example, I can go to the Tutoring Center where certified tutors can assist me with homework by explaining and guiding me through a difficult mathematical equation. At the Office of Disabled Student Resources, a trained counselor can assist me in setting up academic accommodations that enable me to achieve higher grades on written assignments and required tests. As an example, the counselor would request that I take an exam during an alternative time when I am more alert and focused. If a student wants academic success, they should seek out these services which are available and free of charge on all campuses. In order to “study smarter, not harder,” the student must also learn how to take effective class notes as well as keep all of their class materials organized.
“Taking notes further,” is the first element that I utilized to create a simple, yet effective method of taking class lecture/lab notes. This is accomplished by drawing a line down the middle of the page, separating it into two columns. The idea is to place the broad concepts on the left side and any details or examples on the right side of the page. This structure serves two functions: first, I can easily scan the broad topics by examining the left side of the page and covering the right side. Second, I can also cover specific details and/or examples by using an index card to cover the example on the right side that I am mentally processing, to understand the broad topic on the left side. The second element that I employed involved organizing each class material in separate binders with individual sections for Class Notes, Handouts, Graded Assignments, Homework assignments, and Class Syllabus. The final element consists of critically evaluating my notes using the following procedure: Questioning: writing questions and identifying information; Connecting: make connections between previously learned material and the new material; Think Conceptually: focus on broader points; Details: consider all the relevant details; Think of how an application could be used in the “real world”; Think emotionally; How do I relate to this information? Finally, Think anecdotally, when my instructor mentions unusual side notes related the lecture, I make sure that I remember to include this in my answer when applicable.
The authors provide a set of guidelines that are referred to as “Big Ideas, Small Steps, and A Writing Process. For me, this begins with the concept that writing becomes a process, is a process, and continues to be a process. By following the four steps of Getting a topic, Dealing with Sources, Developing a Thesis and an Outline, and finally Writing, Writing, and Writing, I have come closer to my goal of achieving this writing format.
As a college student, I would highly recommend that any future high school and\or college bound student read “Learning Outside the Lines,” by Jonathan Mooney and David Cole. They demonstrate by example that an “unusual learner” can achieve greater academic success through the process of “individualizing your education, taking notes a step further, and writing, writing, and writing,” in order to graduate
Rating:
Summary: A Much Needed Voice!
Review: "Learning Outside the Lines" is a must read for any college student, but especially students with learning or attentional differences. As a special educator I was impressed with the quality of advice and learning strategies Mr. Mooney and Mr. Cole set forth in their handbook. Many of the study strategies outlined are the same strategies taught in quality classrooms for the learning different. The upbeat philosophy of "Learning Outside the Lines" gives hope to anyone who doesn't seem to "fit" into the traditional educational system. I have brought this book into my elementary resource classroom to show my students with learning differences that they too can succeed despite their own struggles with learning outside the lines of the typical classroom. I also think it is time for our students to find their own voice and become a part of their own educational revolution. The personal stories of Mr. Mooney and Mr. Cole gave me great insight into the struggles of students with learning differences and how the educational system can crush their natural talents with "a one method fits all" philosophy. "Learning Outside the Lines" is a very readable book for students, parents, teachers or anyone who lives, thinks or learns differently.
Rating:
Summary: In a class (room) by it's self.
Review: And I don't mean the one with the corny posters of animals with sayings about staying postive! You know, the "retard room" as many a cruel kid has termed it. At least the ones that made me misereable did. This book is truly a God-send! While geared towards LD college students like myself, the mature high schooler could benefit from reading it as well. The book is written with humor and many pratical suggestions that I have used. Jon, whom I had the pleasure of meeting, and David are now heros to a fellow Special Ed'er who thinks she just might make it after all.
Rating:
Summary: In a class (room) by it's self.
Review: And I don't mean the one with the corny posters of animals with sayings about staying postive! You know, the "[dumb]room" as many a cruel kid has termed it. At least the ones that made me misereable did. This book is truly a God-send! While geared towards LD college students like myself, the mature high schooler could benefit from reading it as well. The book is written with humor and many pratical suggestions that I have used...
Rating:
Summary: This book is very helpful.
Review: As a college student with ADD, this book has helped me tremendously. It offers strategies for notebook organization, note taking, test taking, cramming, and reading (plus many more) that work for ADD students. I highly suggest this book.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book!
Review: As a parent with a learning disabled child this book was extremely helpful. Many new insights and great approaches to life in college. I appreciate the author's true stories and enjoyed the flow of the book. I've purchased many books to help my son in college and I found this one and "Major In Success" By: Patrick Combs to be the best. "Learning Outside the Lines" gave my son the tools to succeed in college academically and "Major In Success" gave my son the tools to succeed in his life path.
Rating:
Summary: "Outside the Box" - Outside the Lines
Review: As a parent, 25 yrs old with a 7 yr old son, I was informed that my extremely cute, but extremely active son had ADHD. What the heck is THAT? Denial, defiance, research, acceptance, empowerment and then the long struggle. 3 years later he was diagnosed as LBLD (language Based LD), EFD (Executive Function Disorder), Bipolar, etc yada yada. What he IS is an extremely intelligent, majorly creative and gifted, funny, loving kid! And that is what we have spent the last 5 years pounding into a school system so interred in its histopry that it is afraid to face the present and the future! He is now 15, a high school freshman, struggling, always struggling, to meet the expectations of the world around us. I think this book is a great way to help him, and thanks to Jonathan for being kind enough to sign a copy of it to him at a recent conference! And one for me too! I loved hearing Jonathan speak, and have never seen the people at one of these conferences give a standing ovation to anyone - yet they did for Jonathan. I thank Jonathan and David for giving a voice to all these children & adults. For through my struggles for my son, through my own self journey, I found out that I wasn't "stupid" in Math - I have Dyscalculia! I also found out that I have ADD, which explained all the "daydreams in class" comments on my report cards! For 5 years now I have been an Advocate for Children with Special Needs - I quit my paralegal work and started fighting for the children like my son, I also became the Chair of a Parent Organization for children with special needs, but even with all that experience, this book has given me more tools to help my son, other children like him....and myself. for years I had feared going back to school, a High School dropout, got a GED, joined the Army, took courses to become a paralegal..... and now here. I have yearned to go back to college, but feared the environment and the fact that I didn't want to feel stupid again....... now I have tools that can help my son and myself....so thanks again guys! You are both "wicked awesome" as we say here in Beantown! :)
Rating: 
Summary: Teachers NEED to read this book... So do LD kids.
Review: As a smart kid with ADD, I BEG for all you teachers out there to read this book. I was always one of those exuberant, curious, confident kids when I was little... Until I entered kindergarten. Then I became one of the "dumb kids." I was eventually diagnosed with ADD and put on Ritalin, which did absolutely nothing for my self esteem. ("Oh great. I'm so stupid that I need DRUGS to do well in school?") To be concise, the school system ate me alive because it simply wasn't set up very well for kids with different learning styles. It wasn't until I hit high school and took an IQ test (and scored 147, mind you) that I actually believed I was an intelligent human being. See? Your LD students aren't necessarily stupid. They're probably just gravely misunderstood. This book lets you see things through their eyes. Trust me. It helps.
Rating:
Summary: Learning Outside the Lines
Review: As a teacher of special needs students, specifically those struggling with learning disabilities and attention difficulties, I consider this book a fairly good resource. The authors, Jonathon Mooney and David Cole, do an excellent job of explaining how their struggles in the educational system pushed them to succeed in the world of higher education. Their stories are truly inspirational for anyone who has had to overcome different learning styles and/or oppressive school systems. Both of these LD/ADHD labeled students were able to complete high school and more amazingly, receive their Bachelor degrees from Ivy league institutions. This book includes chapter after chapter of helpful hints for students struggling with the same issues. Note-taking strategies, test-taking techniques and "staying alive" in college are some examples of the information that Mooney and Cole provide to their readers. The book is extremely well organized and easy to read, although I do have to admit that the over-use of profanity is a bit irritating. Lastly, the authors stress the importance of finding one's unique learning style and using that information to learn. This is such an important part of educating our students. I truly appreciated this "reminder." Way to go Jonathon and David... you didn't give up!
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