Bridging the Reading Gap [webinar]

In case you missed it, here is a recap of last week’s webinar, a link to the recording, and other helpful resources

Megan Shanley knows that COVID-19 and distance learning have widened reading and learning gaps for struggling readers, especially in the most vulnerable communities. That’s why she says it’s important to give students plenty of learning tools for their toolbox. Megan, an Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Specialist who serves students in the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), has experienced many of the same challenges faced by teachers across the US in the past year: difficulty in obtaining materials, inadequate internet access in students’ homes, and less than optimal communication with parents.

Last Thursday, April 22, Megan shared some effective tips and tools to address these challenges during a webinar hosted by Bookshare and moderated by Vanessa Lombardo, Outreach Coordinator, and Lara Rondberg, Associate Relationships Manager.

What is Bookshare?

Bookshare is an ebook library that makes reading easier. Bookshare serves 800,000 students with reading barriers like dyslexia, visual impairments, and physical disabilities in 40,000 schools in all 50 states. Students have downloaded over 9.5 M books and read them on laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, smartphones, and AT devices.

Champion Teacher Shares Advice on Connecting with Students in Virtual World

According to Megan, APS has 80,000 students, 68% get free or reduced lunch, and school environments range from rural reservations to urban settings. Megan uses tools like Bookshare, the world’s largest collection of books accessible to people with reading barriers such as dyslexia, visual impairments, and physical disabilities. The district has 14,000 students with special needs, many of whom benefit from independent access to digital text through Bookshare. “It’s so helpful for my students to not have to depend on someone sitting next to them to read,” says Megan. “Bookshare improves their literacy skills and self-esteem, and students can select books to read at home.”

Learn More About Bookshare

Join us for Bookshare Office Hours where you can ask questions about making the most of your Bookshare membership.

Session 1: Bookshare Office Hours

• Tuesday, May 4th at 1:00-3:00 pm PT/ 4:00–6:00 pm ET
• Register for May 4th Office Hours

Session 2: Bookshare Office Hours

• Friday, May 7th at 7:00-9:00 am PT/ 10:00 am-12:00 pm ET
• Register for May 7th Office Hours

Related Article

Rethinking Reading – Megan Shanley and Hillary Goldthwait-Fowles discuss a variety of assistive technology, accessible ebooks, and reading support tools that help students with reading challenges interact with text in a meaningful way