In an effort to better align some of my ongoing projects, I plan on cross-posting episodes of my podcast, Conceptually Speaking, once a month. On weeks where I’m not posting new episodes, I’ll be digging back into my catalog and reposting older episodes you may not have heard if you’re new to my work. You can expect the content of these episodes to dovetail nicely with everything I’m sharing on Becoming Literary. This episode is particularly relevant to the series I just wrapped up: Bridging The Theory & Practice Divide in English Classrooms. Enjoy!
In this episode of Conceptually Speaking, I chat with Shawna Coppola, literacy specialist, educator, and author of "Literacy for All: A Framework for Anti-Oppressive Teaching" from Routledge, to explore how literacy education is deeply connected to social and cultural practices. Our conversation examines the complex relationship between theory and practice in literacy instruction, drawing on Shawna's 25 years of experience working with students across different educational contexts. Through personal anecdotes and scholarly insights, Coppola shares how her framework emerged from both classroom experience and deep engagement with literacy research to help create more equitable and empowering literacy practices.
Key Concepts from the Episode:
Theory and Practice in Literacy
Understanding literacy as both cognitive processes and social practices
Bridging theoretical understanding with practical classroom implementation
The importance of questioning "why" in literacy instruction
Identity and Literacy Practices
Examining how literacy practices are culturally and socially situated
Understanding the connection between identity and language use
Recognizing and valuing diverse ways of making meaning
Transformative Literacy Education
Analyzing how literacy can be used for social change
Teaching students to critically examine texts and their contexts
Creating inclusive spaces that empower diverse voices and experiences
For educators interested in expanding their understanding of what literacy can be, this conversation offers both theoretical frameworks and practical approaches to creating more dynamic, engaging literacy experiences for students. Whether you're a classroom teacher, administrator, or professor working with pre-service teachers, this episode provides valuable insights into transforming literacy education to better serve all learners.
https://shawnacoppola.com/
Literacy for All: A Framework for Anti-Oppressive Teaching
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