The Faculty of Education is launching a series of talks that will feature leading scholars speaking about their research and scholarship on key publicly relevant issues in education and society.
The first talk of the series, titled “Making sense of the great reading debate: A guide to the science and practice of helping all children read” will take place on April 27 at 7 p.m. via Zoom and will be delivered by Faculty of Education Dean Rob Savage.
Savage will consider his own domain on early reading research and teaching. The goal of the talk is to help stakeholders in the community navigate through the complex and sometimes contested space of early reading teaching practices. Savage will review the research on the role of phonics and wider oral and written language in reading acquisition and its implication for practice and policy. A key goal is to dismantle unhelpful dichotomies that have held both research and practice back and to create positions that are “research-driven” but also informed by the complexities of children and classrooms.
He will also describe two recent research themes exemplifying this needed balance, delivered at scale in Canada and around the world. The talk will be of interest to anyone seeking to learn more about aiding in all children’s early literacy including parents, teachers, administrators and policymakers.
Savage is particularly interested in preventing early reading and spelling issues, often using technology. A school-based psychologist and classroom teacher by training, he has an interest in making schools effective learning places for all children. He is the author or co-author of more than 100 highly cited peer-reviewed journal and web articles, chapters and reviews, and frequently presents his research at international conferences.
This free event is open to all members of the York community. Registration for the April 27 event is open.