Why #schools need #cats!

Guernsey students improve skills by reading to rescue cats https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c895wxp23xwo

#reading #literacy

Really excellent piece!

"This is where my understanding of literacy has fundamentally shifted. I used to believe, as I was taught, that literacy was primarily about decoding text. But watching how people actually learn and think has convinced me that literacy is about something deeper: the capacity to construct and navigate environments where understanding becomes possible."
#literacy #attention https://aeon.co/essays/what-we-think-is-a-decline-in-literacy-is-a-design-problem

The chatbot provider that my employer uses is shifting the language from "AI literacy" to "AI fluency"* and I think it's dangerous.
As a multilingual person, I am fluent in more languages than I am literate in, and the difference is not negligible.
I can engage in a philosophical debate in English or French, but not in Spanish or Dutch.
Using the word "fluency" means that Anthropic doesn't want you to engage critically.

*: https://anthropic.skilljar.com/ai-fluency-framework-foundations

#llm #CriticalThinking #Literacy

In rural Missouri classrooms, a new approach to reading is taking hold

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://missouriindependent.com/2026/03/20/in-rural-missouri-classrooms-a-new-approach-to-reading-is-taking-hold/

My website is titled "Errant Ruminant."

My novel WIP makes reference to ruminants.

I then found out from my critique group that 3 out of 6 of us had to look up the word. I was aghast. My hypothesis is that we all learn what a ruminant is in childhood, but 50% of us forget by the time we become adults.

And so, a poll …
#writing #reading #literacy #science #ruminants

Over the last year I've been 'reading' via audiobooks a tonne (just shy of 100 books, not counting ones I've read multiple times [eg: #dungeonCrawlerCarl #projectHailMary #bobiverse]).

I'm now doing a tiny bit of fundraising to help improve adult literacy. If you have the means, and want to help others who struggle with literacy (I can't even imagine how hard life would be without the ability to read), please donate here: https://www.canadahelps.org/me/6VVysJtA

#charity #literacy #reading

The use of structured rhyme in early childhood education remains a strong catalyst for phonological awareness and linguistic confidence.

I am sharing a new resource by Marshal Flam: Kid-Friendly Limericks That Teach and Entertain. It shows how the AABBA rhyme scheme can make language skills simple and fun for young learners.

Full article here:

https://www.wordlelimericks.com/kid-friendly-limericks/

#Literacy #Education #MarshalFlam #Limericks #LanguageArts

💁🏻‍♀️ ICYMI: 🚬🤥 How does a lie spread when the truth is already known? Hank Green tells the story of the decades-long war over #smoking and what happens when powerful interests work to obscure scientific evidence.

👉 Learn more: https://seethis.tv/post/scientific-research-vs-public-opinion-corporate-interests-hank-green?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=new_content&utm_content=scientific-research-clashes

#civics #culture #ethics #health #history #law #literacy #media #medicine #research #science #tobacco #education #tksst #video