The Literacy View
A podcast that isn’t afraid to tackle controversial topics!
The Literacy View is a literacy podcast with a difference. Faith Borkowsky and Judy Boksner are both experienced literacy educators and trainers, and they aren’t afraid to tackle difficult questions in their own unique style (including the BS-button)! It takes a bit of getting used to and sometimes they go a bit off-topic, but they’ve had some fabulous guests.
Recommended episodes:
Episode 96: Does the Science of Reading Include Middle and High School? With James and Dianne Murphy
This is a wide-ranging discussion of adolescent literacy with James and Dianne Murphy, who are experts in this field. The central point is that, with the right support, adolescents who struggle with reading can catch up. But this requires screening with follow-up diagnostic testing, and precisely targeted interventions – preferably one-to-one for the weakest pupils – with skilled teachers. Whole-school approaches to supporting reading were also discussed. James and Dianne also emphasised the cost to society (and individuals) of NOT intervening appropriately.
Episode 97: Adolescent Literacy Solutions with Tricia Millar Part 2
Tricia Millar, founder of That Reading Thing and That Spelling Thing, talks about how to get adolescents reading. The discussion ranges from motivating adolescents in a one-to-one setting, to the best ways to develop spelling skills in the classroom. Tricia is passionate about improving life chances through developing reading, and her interventions were originally developed through youth work and are now widely used in prisons. Her comments about designing literacy programmes that can be successfully used by non-specialists were interesting, and reflect the reality that not everyone has the time or money needed to gain a specialist qualification in literacy teaching.