A History of Education: An Introduction

[Editor’s Note: This is the first in a year-long series of blogs that examines how education developed throughout history until the present.] In its broadest sense, education is the imparting of information from one generation to the generation that follows it. It can be accomplished by modeling actions, sharing oral knowledge, or through reading and … Continue reading “A History of Education: An Introduction”


Home Is Where Children’s Reading Skills Start to Develop

The On Track study performed at the Norwegian Reading Centre at the University of Stavanger found a strong connection between a child’s home reading environment from the time they’re very young and the progress that child makes in learning to read and learning to read better when they’re in school.[1] Study researcher Vibeke Bergersen indicated … Continue reading “Home Is Where Children’s Reading Skills Start to Develop”


Are Humans Hard-Wired for Reading?

A while ago we posted a blog describing how humans are hard-wired for speech and language, but not for reading and writing, which is why the former can be passively learned while the latter must be expressly taught. Now, however, researchers out of Ohio State University have concluded that humans are hard-wired for reading, as our … Continue reading “Are Humans Hard-Wired for Reading?”


Authors, Developing Words – Mary Oliver

[Editor’s note: This post is part of a continuing series on how writers craft words to express their ideas and to connect with readers.] “I had a very dysfunctional family, and a very hard childhood,” poet Mary Oliver told O: The Oprah Magazine in 2011. “So I made a world out of words. And it … Continue reading “Authors, Developing Words – Mary Oliver”


Real-Time Language Change

We spent a good part of last year looking at how writing — and therefore reading — changed since its inception thousands of years ago till the present day (for links to all those blogs, click here). What’s interesting now, is there is at least one language that is changing in real-time, the language of Laos. The … Continue reading “Real-Time Language Change”


Study Skills Part 1 – How to Develop Your Listening Skills

Listening is more than just hearing – it’s a skill, and one that needs to be developed. While we’re constantly surrounded by people speaking (or deaf people signing), we hear/see them but often don’t take the time to stop and pay attention to what’s being said/signed. Effective listening, though, serves as the foundation of strong relationships, … Continue reading “Study Skills Part 1 – How to Develop Your Listening Skills”


The History of Writing and Reading – Part 25: Featural Scripts (part 3 of 3)

[Editor’s note: This is the twenty-sixth of an ongoing series that examines the rise of writing – and therefore reading – around the world. We will be looking at the major developments and forces that shaped the written languages we use today. Links to all the previous posts are listed at the end of this … Continue reading “The History of Writing and Reading – Part 25: Featural Scripts (part 3 of 3)”


The History of Writing and Reading – Part 23: Featural Scripts (part 1 of 3)

[Editor’s note: This is the twenty-fourth of an ongoing series that examines the rise of writing – and therefore reading – around the world. We will be looking at the major developments and forces that shaped the written languages we use today. Links to all the previous posts are listed at the end of this … Continue reading “The History of Writing and Reading – Part 23: Featural Scripts (part 1 of 3)”


The History of Writing and Reading – Part 21: Printing, Publishing, and Language Norms in the Digital Age

[Editor’s note: This is the twenty-second of an ongoing series that examines the rise of writing – and therefore reading – around the world. We will be looking at the major developments and forces that shaped the written languages we use today. Links to all the previous posts are listed at the end of this … Continue reading “The History of Writing and Reading – Part 21: Printing, Publishing, and Language Norms in the Digital Age”


The History of Writing and Reading – Part 20: The Origins and Development of English (Part 4 of 4)

[Editor’s note: This is the twenty-first of an ongoing series that examines the rise of writing – and therefore reading – around the world. We will be looking at the major developments and forces that shaped the written languages we use today. Links to all the previous posts are listed at the end of this … Continue reading “The History of Writing and Reading – Part 20: The Origins and Development of English (Part 4 of 4)”