edWeb.net and myON today announced a combined effort to provide educators with robust professional learning opportunities to transform literacy for all pre-K–12 students. myON will sponsor the professional learning community “Building a Community of Readers” on edWeb.net as a forum for professional learning and collaboration focused on all aspects of literacy. Educators will be able to collaborate online across the country and around the world to leverage information and learn best practices from their peers to build innovative approaches to literacy for the classroom
The myON mission—giving every child unlimited access to books to engage them in learning—supports 21st-century literacy, and educators can rely on myON to provide an innovative approach to personalizing literacy for all students. The commitment and investment that has been made over the past six years is now being realized, as myON is having measurable impacts on students’ learning worldwide.
“While we know that literacy is the foundation of learning, we also know that educators are tasked with a deeply challenging job of engaging their students in literacy and learning,” said Todd Brekhus, the president of myON. “We are thrilled to be working with edWeb.net to support all educators in navigating the literacy landscape and believe this is one of the most effective ways to support teacher professional learning, which in turn supports student achievement.”
Educators are invited to join “Building a Community of Readers” to receive invitations to free edWebinars, earn CE certificates, participate in online discussions, and get exclusive access to free online resources focused on literacy
Steven Anderson, Digital Learning and Relationship Evangelist; and Shaelynn Farnsworth, Education Services Consultant for AEA 267 in Iowa, presented the community's first edWebinar on April 17th. In “Redesigning Literacy Instruction in a Student-Centered Classroom,” Anderson and Farnsworth explained a simplified version of balanced literacy and helped attendees reimagine reading and writing in the classroom through an ed tech redesign. More than 400 educators from around the country and the world participated in the live presentation and chat, engaging in an ongoing dialogue with Anderson, Farnsworth, and fellow attendees, and adding additional insights and resources for all to share.
The community’s second edWebinar, “‘Fake News’ and the Case for Media Literacy Across All Grades,” took place on April 16 and attracted 445 live attendees, making it the site’s most popular offering of the week.
Lisa Schmucki, founder and CEO of edWeb.net, commented, “Helping students develop literacy and critical thinking skills is more important than ever, so I am especially happy we can work together with myON to do all we can to support teachers—and all educators—in this endeavor. The feedback we get for hosting these events is so inspirational.”
