A sneak peek at the IRA to ILA transformation
The critical need for literacy leadership
Using technology to differentiate instruction
Bringing TED talks into the classroom
Inside:
Volume 32, Number 4
January/February 2015
THE
FUTU
LITER
THE
OF
RE OF
ACY
FUTURE
LITERACY
WELCOME TO THE
OF LITERACY!
Executive Director, Marcie Craig Post
It is my pleasure to introduce you
to ILA—the International Literacy
Association.
Two years of comprehensive
data-gathering and analysis,
intensive probing and
questioning, and creative
exploration and idea
generation has resulted in what
you are about to discover—a
rebooted, rejuvenated global
professional membership
association for leaders in
literacy education.
It was a monumental task, and we
are proud to now share with you
what it took to get here.
This transformation is the
culmination of an intensive
exercise of questioning, self-
examination, and honest reflection.
We left no stone unturned,
and did not shy away from the
tough questions. We took on
this task with a dedication to
preserve the 60-year legacy
of the International Reading
Association and a determination to
solidify—for the next 60 years and
beyond—the International Literacy
Association’s future as the leading
world organization for literacy
professionals.
WE ASKED FOR YOUR INPUT. We
talked to current and past board
members, past presidents, and
our staff. Council, affiliate, and
provincial members and leaders.
Members-at-large.
We reached beyond our
membership, too. We talked to
E FUTURE
THEE
FUTTUR
LITEERA
our partners and our competitors.
We even heard from our
nonmembers—those who had
joined and left IRA, and even those
who had never been a part of the
organization.
WE CAST A WIDE NET to gather
your feedback, including:
� E-mailing 80,000 members and
nonmembers a survey to gather
impressions of IRA
� Conducting a Twitter survey
of 300 attendees at the 2014
Annual Conference
� Reviewing survey feedback
conducted by McKinley Advisors
� Analyzing multiple years of
post-conference data collected
annually
More importantly,
we listened.
We knew we wanted rounded,
balanced input from a broad
representation of those most
dedicated to our mission and
purpose—members who would
work along with us to take on this
monumental task of establishing a
renewed brand for IRA. In April of
last year, we reached out to 20 IRA
members, representing past and
current board members and past
presidents, council leaders, staff,
and at-large, longtime members.
This volunteer group was dubbed
ILA’s Brand Ambassadors and, over
six months, in an intensive process
guided by consultants from
Ideon, they devoted hundreds of
hours to responding to questions,
poring over data, and analyzing
responses.
WE SOLICITED YOUR INPUT
everywhere we went: every
conference, workshop, and casual
conversation. And you gave us your
opinions, both positive and negative.
WE LEARNED—a lot—including
that IRA was viewed by members
as a sales organization. We were
pitching you to buy in every e-mail
and touchpoint, when what you
really wanted from us was support
to fulfill your purpose of teaching
literacy well so your students can
achieve. We needed to lead the
cause to transform lives through
literacy.
The time to do that is now, and not
a minute later.
WE’VE EXPLORED IDEAS and
we will launch experimental
programs. We’ve designated
goals, restructured staff, and
aligned resources. We examined
every penny spent and found
ways to generate greater cost
efficiencies. We are in lockstep
with our financial advisors, who
have worked alongside us to
lay out a conservative plan that
ensures smart use of our funds for
future growth, and it’s working: We
posted a surplus last year.
At the same time, we are
responding to your needs. We
moved the conference to July so
more teachers can attend. We’re
experimenting with new formats
for professional development and
learning. Oh, and we’re (finally)
redesigning the website to make it
more user-friendly.
We’re also working with our
network—affiliates, councils,
provincials—to build their capacity
to serve their members. We’re
looking for new ways to strengthen
all we do and everyone who is
connected to us by ensuring we
are creating pathways for more
members to access leadership
opportunities, by structuring our
RE OF
ACY
FUTU
LITER
network to produce mutually
beneficial relationships, and,
ultimately, generate unparalleled
value to those who join us.
We ask that you bear with us in
the coming year as we complete
our transformation. We’re training
staff and preparing our ILA Brand
Ambassadors—who will now grow
to include an even broader array
of members—to carry forth our
message and cause. There will likely
be snags along the way as we work
through the complex task of the
makeover. The website redesign will
take some time, but we’re certain
that once we’re done, you will enjoy
a virtual space and have a user
experience worth the wait.
It’s easy to view this transition as
merely a change of name and a
new color. Some will like it and
some will not. The ILA Brand
Ambassadors weighed in on many
versions, colors, and typesets. We
all had opinions of what we liked
and what we didn’t like, and in the
end there was not total agreement
on all particulars.
But there was and is total
consensus on what ILA means. All
of those involved in this intense
(and sometimes frustrating) yet
exhilarating process will tell you
that what is happening to ILA
isn’t about visuals. What is most
exciting to us is the development
of a vibrant new meaning for being
here—what ILA is determined to
stand for as we look to extend
our legacy into the next 60 years
and beyond as a true champion
for literacy and literacy educators
around the world.
We can no longer sit quiet and safe
on the sidelines.
We will be conveners of dialogue,
discussion, and debate on literacy
education. We will pose the
2012
FEBRUARY A joint
board/staff strategic planning
committee is formed to examine
IRA’s strengths, weaknesses, and
opportunities in order to guide
its future direction.
“We can no longer sit quiet and safe
on the sidelines.”
The decisions that led to our transformation have been part of
a natural evolution, guiding us as we strive to serve, educate,
and inspire. As it should, the process included a great deal of
member feedback along the way. As we continue to evolve,
your voice will continue to be heard. The following is just a
sampling of the events that led to where we stand today.
From IRA to ILA
2013
SEPTEMBER The strategic
planning committee concludes its
research and raises the question of
whether or not IRA’s name reflects its
current mission scope and values.
OCTOBER IRA Board of
Directors recognizes the need to
broaden its reach when it approves the
motion to become the International
Literacy Association.
NOVEMBER “Transforming
Lives Through Literacy” is chosen as
the 2015 conference theme, with an
overwhelmingly positive response from
members.
JULY McKinley Advisors, a
consulting firm for associations,
begins a learning analysis survey to
help IRA discern what its members
need and value most. This includes
in-person discussions, an online
survey, and two focus groups over
the next nine-month period.
RE OF
RACY
questions, probe the responses, and
propose actions and solutions. We
will support research and evidence-
based instruction, and we will
disseminate what we know in every
possible way to ensure teachers get
what they need.
We are energized and galvanized
in thinking about the endless
possibilities of how this storied
organization can build upon its
legacy and truly transform literacy
and education.
ILA is about standing out. ILA is
about leading and leadership—not
following. ILA is about setting the
standard for teaching literacy and
serving as an unfailing advocate
of literacy educators who strive
to effectively teach students
worldwide, so they can be and
will continue to become engaged,
contributing global citizens.
That is our focus.
We are ILA, and this is
the future of literacy.
2014
JANUARY
A satisfaction survey is sent out
to ensure members continue to
be part of the process ahead.
FEBRUARY The
announcement is made that
the annual conference will
be moved to July in 2015, in
response to high interest from
members for a shift to a summer
date.
APRIL Invitations are sent
to a pool of members and past
leaders to join the rebranding
research team as ILA Brand
Ambassadors.
2015
JANUARY
The official transformation
to ILA begins!
NOW–JULY The new website
will be unveiled, along with newly
redesigned journals, Reading Today,
membership cards, e-blasts, newsletters,
and more.
JULY Join us in St. Louis for the
first-ever ILA conference, the first of
many transformational opportunities to
come.
MAY A kickoff for the
rebranding team is held at the 2014
conference in New Orleans. Later,
a “brand equity survey” is sent to
members and nonmembers to find
out how the organization is viewed.
The team pores over the data
collected.
Months of interviews and
workshops begin. The results
of these efforts help inform
everything that comes after.
OCTOBER Everything
about what it means to be part
of ILA—down to the passionate
mission statement and the eye-
catching visuals—is presented to a
suportive Board of Directors.
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N151H2
CONTENTS
READING
T O D A Y
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Marcie Craig Post
ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Stephen Sye
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER: Lara Deloza
READING TODAY MANAGING EDITOR: Colleen Patrice Clark
SENIOR STAFF WRITER: April Hall
ADVERTISING MANAGER: Megan Ferguson
INTERN: Morgan Ratner
ILA LEADERSHIP: JILL D. LEWIS-SPECTOR, Professor Emerita, New Jersey
City University, Jersey City, New Jersey, President; DIANE BARONE, University
of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nevada, Vice President; DOUGLAS FISHER, San
Diego State University, San Diego, California; RONA F. FLIPPO, University of
Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts; SHELLEY STAGG PETERSON,
OISE/University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; BERNADETTE DWYER, St.
Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland; LAURIE
A. ELISH-PIPER, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois; JULIANNE SCULLEN,
Anoka-Hennepin School District, Andover, Minnesota; DONALD BEAR, Iowa State
University, Ames, Iowa; JULIE COIRO, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode
Island; LORI DIGISI, Framingham Public Schools, Framingham, Massachusetts;
MARCIE CRAIG POST, Executive Director
ABOUT READING TODAY: Reading Today is the bimonthly membership magazine
of the International Literacy Association. Send correspondence and article ideas
to Reading Today, PO Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714, USA. Tel. 302-731-1600
ext. 240, fax 302-368-2449, e-mail cclark@reading.org.
POSTAL NOTICE: Reading Today (ISSN 2160-8083) is published six times
a year. Annual membership subscription US$39, International Literacy
Association, PO Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714, USA. ADDRESS CHANGES:
Call 800-336-7323, or write to the address above. Please allow six weeks’
notice and include your current mailing address label. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to Reading Today, PO Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714, USA.
CANADIAN GST: Registration number R-129785523.
PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40033039
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO
PO BOX 503, RPO WEST BEAVER CREEK
RICHMOND HILL ON L4B 4R6
MAILING LIST RENTALS: Members can have their names removed from
mailing lists rented by the Association. Write to ILA Customer Service, PO Box
8139, Newark, DE 19714, USA, or e-mail customerservice@reading.org.
ILA rents mailing lists only to groups approved by the Association.
REPRINTS/PHOTOCOPYING: To obtain permission to reproduce ILA materials, visit
the Rights and Permissions page of the ILA website at reading.org/rights.
ADVERTISING: All advertisements in Reading Today must be directly related to
reading and literacy education products, programs, or services. Acceptance of an
advertisement does not imply endorsement by the Association, and management
reserves the right to reject any and all advertisements without assigning reason.
For more information, contact Megan Ferguson at 800-
336-7323 ext. 417 or advertising@reading.org.
ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION: The Inter national Literacy
Association is a nonprofi t organization dedicated to
promoting effective reading instruction and the lifetime
reading habit.
Volume 32, Number 4
January/February 2015
@IRAToday
International Literacy Association
On the Cover: This edition’s Reading Today
cover was designed by Dawn Fenn Creative.
A sneak peak at the IRA to ILA transformation
The critical need for literacy leadership
Using technology to differentiate instruction
Bringing TED talks into the classroom
Inside:
Volume 32, Number 4
January/February 2015
Digital Literacy Coverage
Editor’s Note
Inviting Change ........................................................................2
Letters to the Editor .....................................................3
Lit Bits ....................................................................................4
President’s Message
Welcoming a New Era .............................................................6
Literacy Leadership
From Literacy to Literacies .......................................................8
Celebrating RRQ’s 50th Anniversary .....................................10
Precautions to Take with Classroom Technology ..........12
Tech Grants: Where They Are, and How to Get Them ......14
Two Takes
To BYOD or not to BOYD? .................................................16
The Engaging Classroom
How to Speak in Google ..................................................18
The Evolving Role of the School Librarian .......................20
Close Reading of Multimodal and Digital Text ..............22
Using TED Talks in the Classroom ....................................24
Reaching Diverse Learners Through Technology ..........28
Multimodality in Picture Books ...............................................32
Children’s Literature
New Publication Highlights the Need for Diverse Books ......34
Creating Lifelong Readers with Deborah Wooten ...............36
Annual Conference
Where to Find PD Funding When Your Administration
Can’t Contribute ....................................................................38
Councils & SIGs
What Can Happen When Two Councils Work Together .....40
International
ILA’s GLPDN Project Wraps Up a Three-Year Mission ...........42
Events of Note ...............................................................45
Member Spotlight
News & Notes .........................................................................46
In Your Words .........................................................................47
ILA Refl ections .........................................................................48
reading.org
2
Reading Today
January/February 2015
ow many of you made a classroom
resolution for this new year? They
say it takes about 60 days to so-
lidify a new habit, but you need the right motivation to get you
there—you know, the relentless kind of motivation that won’t
let you forget why you started.
However, fi rst you have to be open to change. If there’s
one thing that’s clear in this annual Digital Literacy issue,
it’s that you can’t escape change—nor should you want to.
Our articles focus on issues facing educators at all levels,
from reading and understanding multimodal text (page 22)
to teaching even our youngest learners how to “speak in
Google” (page 18). We look at the pros and cons of BYOD
(page 16), how and where to fi nd tech grants (page 14), the
powerful use of TED talks in literacy instruction (page 24),
and much more.
Change is upon us. Embrace it along with us and you’ll fi nd
that source of motivation is right here waiting for you.
I encourage you to explore what it means to be a part of the
new ILA as you kick off 2015. Discover—or rediscover—the tre-
mendous amount of educators, literacy professionals, and resources
available to learn from and be inspired by, whether it’s through
one of our publications or the ongoing, thought-provoking con-
nections we see every day on our social media channels.
Most importantly, keep your eye out for what’s to come,
including a completely redesigned Reading Today March/
April issue. ILA will ensure that you don’t forget why you
started on this path—why you became a literacy educator and
the power you hold to change lives.
Warmly,
Colleen Patrice Clark
Managing Editor
cclark@reading.org
Inviting Change
ideas & inspiration
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