Professional learning - LitPlus

LitPlus Conference

On Saturday 23 November 2024, LitPlus held a day conference for teachers and librarians who have been working with the research group and others from literacy-related organisations. The conference encouraged delegates to discuss how they’d mobilise research-based knowledge of reading in schools and early learning services.

Assoc Prof Ruth Boyask spoke on mobilising knowledge of reading from recent research, including a new study she led on children’s wellbeing and reading that found:

• Early reading experiences have long-term consequences for development
• Reading for pleasure outside of school is connected to resilience
• Reading texts and talking about them provides focus for developing prosocial behaviours
• Reading together (the same or different reading texts) and talking about reading may have positive effects on adolescents’ mental wellbeing

Dr John Milne introduced ongoing cross-sector case study research on reading engagement from early childhood through to secondary school. The LitPlus researchers co-constructed with delegates case study research findings from readers in ten schools and early learning services in five thematic working groups:

• Theme 1: How adolescents’ interests, dispositions, perceptions, feelings and identifications affect reading, Lisa Maurice-Takerei
• Theme 2: Reading engagement in school reading cultures, John Milne
• Theme 3: Affective relationships between people (children, ākonga, teachers, whānau, librarians and so on)​, Ruth Boyask
• Theme 4: Noticing differences between ideal and real reading engagement, Ross Bernay
• Theme 5: Resources, reading materials, furniture and environments for reading​, Parisa Tadi, Jayne Jackson, Rebecca Hopkins 

And a wonderful array of presenters from literacy-focused organisations, schools and the LitPlus team provided topical and research-informed professional development seminars on literacy and reading. Topics included:

The LitPlus team were grateful to all our friends and collaborators for making this a rich and sustaining day.

Study literacy education at AUT

Special Topic – Studies in Literacy Education taught by LitPlus members

When: Semester 2, 2025 (dates to be confirmed)
Where: AUT South Campus
What: 30 points credit that can be used towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Postgraduate Diploma in Education or Master of Education

Understanding of who and what affects literacy is powerful knowledge for developing beneficial and engaging literacy education programmes, initiatives and pedagogies. In this course we will share the latest knowledge of what influences literacy and help you decide how this knowledge can be used in your setting – whether that is in educational organisations, workplaces, in communities or at home.