Digital Reading: What's Essential in Grades 3-8

by William L. Bass II, Franki Sibberson

Many of our young students come to school with vast experience in the digital world but too often use digital tools in limited ways because they view technology as merely another form of entertainment. Educators William L. Bass II and Franki Sibberson believe that teachers can help students recognize their expertise in out-of-school digital reading and extend it into the world of school. For this to happen, we need to redefine reading to include digital reading and texts, learn how to support digital reading in the classroom, and embed digital tools throughout the elementary and middle school curriculum.

Genres: Nonfiction

122 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2015

Reviews

[Richard Stange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you are a new educator or more experienced, there is something for you to take away from this book. Over the last twenty years, literacy has changed. Expanded. It isn’t that reading, thinking about, questioning, taking notes on, and annotating paper books has disappeared; but, the inclusion of new mediums of communication has risen. Literacy in the digital age means acknowledging the internet as a place where literacy actually takes place rather than a place to simply read about literacy.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franki and Bill pushed my thinking in an area that I tread lightly in. Reading this book gave me a clearer understanding of the importance of using digital reading in authentic ways and making sure students use their digital reading in a way that connects and pushes their learning.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the nudge I needed to bump my practice up a level.

[Sandra Hacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good information but not necessarily what I was really looking for. Was hoping to find a book that helped to specifically teach strategies to help students read digital text with more comprehension...knowing that research shows this is an area of struggle with digital text. A good overview and starting point though.

[Gala Bond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insights that made me think about why I should plan more to use technology in a classroom. I appreciated the fact that they didn't waste a lot of space talking about specific software, hardware or apps which would be obsolete in a year or two. Instead, they talked about types of tools and how they could be used. The authors were good advocates of expanding students critical thinking by giving them extensive Internet access.

I do think they painted a rosier picture than what is real in a classroom. They ignored things like cyber crime and poorly working equipment. I felt as if these anecdotes were from wealthier classrooms. It is certainly convenient when students can bring their own pads to school to extend the half dozen or so devices available in the classroom along with working teacher tools like Smart Boards.

The chapter on using technology for authentic reading is excellent. What really made an impact on me was the chapter on intentional reading which got me to think about how I read digitally. Less useful was the chapter on assessment. I suppose the authors had good ideas but they did not seem very realistic in a world of high stakes testing.

[Stacy Natal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things I liked about this book:

~Emphasizes pedagogy over technology.
~ Highlights the benefits and costs of reading on a screen.
~Reminds readers of the power of the reading workshop and suggests how to incorporate authentic, intentional reading using traditional/digital resources, and opportunities to connect with other readers/learners.
~Full of resources (lists of online tools, online text attributes etc...), inspiration, and teacher anecdotes.
~"We don't connect for the sake of connecting. There must be a meaningful purpose, an authenticity to it, and a diligence in our approach."
~Ideas on how to connect digital reading to home
~Made me think more deeply on how I use text and digital resources together. For instance, I put post its in my books for things I want to remember to post on Goodreads to remember the information for future reference.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with the online group #CyberPD, and like the past years, it's always a tremendous learning experience. Franki Sibberson and Bill Bass don't take the teaching of reading lightly, include past learning for reader's workshop from Atwell, Miller, Gallagher and Kittle, but this time add the next steps of integrating digital reading with print. It isn't an either/or scenario, but builds on the foundation of the NCTE policies about reading, showing real examples called "Voices From The Classroom", adaptation of previous lists like beginning of year reading surveys, and many, many applications being used that you should know about. It's a terrific and recent professional book full of practical application and through explanations.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ipads and Kindles and laptops! Oh my! How do we navigate the digital invasion into our classrooms and make the most of it? Bill and Franki to the rescue! They skillfully guide us through the digital landscape with classroom-tested recommended resources. I read this book the way that Franki reads THE HORN BOOK, with my Ipad in the other had. Then I could take a peek at all of the recommended websites, apps, and blogs.

[Michelle Nero · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great #cyberPD book selection! A PD book that reminds us of the power of the reading workshop and providing authentic and intentional reading -- traditional and digital -- opportunities throughout the school day to connect with readers and learners across the globe. A must read that is based in the foundations of literacy research and encourages embedding digital tools and texts to enhance learning.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankie and Bill have written the perfect book for teachers to navigate the world of digital literacy. This book is chock-full of reminders, resources and teacher anecdotes -- everything you need to get started!

[Melanie Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with practical ideas and suggestions for authentically embedding the use of technology across the curriculum. The message is to teach content through technology with authenticity, connectedness, and intentionality.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had read this earlier in the summer during the #cyberpd a few months ago. Regardless, I now feel updated in an area that I needed. This text is so easy to read, and it provided a lot of "food for thought".

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the rare #edtech books that prioritizes pedagogy over technology. The authors take a deep dive into the benefits and costs of reading on a screen. I especially enjoyed the chapters on connectedness and home-school communication.

[Emily Rozmus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really solid approach to digital reading using practical ideas and structure. What lacked, I felt, were some specific techniques to make sure our students are mastering reading digital text. As a whole, however, this is a book worth reading.

[Joyce Yattoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resources in this book! I plan on using some of the ideas this year. We definitely don't do enough digital reading and making sure students navigate this genre skillfully.

[Karen Szymusiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

[Alyssa Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Very useful information!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book inspired and empowered me to bring my reading workshop into the digital world! Easy to apply tips and great lesson vignettes to inspire! Franki never disappoints!

[Mandy Robek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for nudging digital reading in our classrooms with our students. Practical and sound advice.

[Lesa Haney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is going to help me make some significant changes to my instruction this year!