The Science of Reading and the Media, Part 1

When it comes to the science of reading, asking who is right or who is wrong seems...wrong.

A better question: "What do I believe, and how might I be wrong?"

This is a response four educators and I considered as we discussed Maren Aukerman's article, "The Science of Reading and the Media: Is Reporting Biased?" (Literacy Research Association, 2022). Journalists who offer "simple stories" about how kids become readers can evoke strong feelings about the issue. Emotions such as anger or frustration can help us focus our efforts on what we believe to be true. But they can also cloud our judgment and decrease our ability to think logically and reasonably.

Listen to our conversation. Take action and begin to engage in dialogue with others.

Special thanks to the following guests:

* Debra Crouch, co-author of Made for Learning (with Brian Cambourne)

* Jane Delcore, Director of Teaching and Learning, Howard Suamico School District (Wisconsin)

* Don Marlett, COO of Learning-Focused

* Hannah Schneewind, co-author of Trusting Readers (with Jen Scoggin)

Resources Referenced

* Discussion thread (including link to article)

* Video: Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps: The Mindtrap of Simple Stories by Jennifer Garvey Berger

* Podcast: What Kids Offer to Use: A Conversation with Debra Crouch and Brian Cambourne, authors of Made for Learning

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Take care,

Matt

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