Neil Druker: Memphis Principal's Efforts Unite Media and Literacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA, February 25, 2013

According to literacy advocate Neil Druker, the public has always been quick to eliminate the value of television and digital media in relation to encouraging the practice of reading among youth. However, a recent article from an ABC News affiliate reveals how Raychellet Williamson--Memphis, Tennessee elementary school principal--is using media to promote literacy among her students. Over the recent holiday break, Williamson required students to watch television with closed captioning for an hour each day, allowing them to enjoy typical entertainment but to also be exposed to reading.

In the article, Williamson cites the work of Kent State University literacy professor Tim Rasinski as the inspiration behind the experiment. Williamson explains, "Closed captioning is a way for children to see more words in print. Every time they see a word, it gets imprinted in their memories. Eventually it becomes a word they recognize immediately." Familiar with several approaches to reading comprehension, Neil Druker comments, "It is long known that students today are very responsive to learning through varied models--especially through lessons that have a visual element. Although there really is no 'teacher' providing a lesson through the closed-caption approach, it does allow the student to experience a direct opportunity to learn through observation."

The article explains how this version of homework was reinforced, "Children at Williamson's Shannon Elementary [watched] 60 minutes of closed caption TV a day over the holiday break. Every child [was] expected to bring documentation, signed by a parent, of their closed caption use." Although an innovative approach, Neil Druker--a professional involved in promoting literacy--explains that the amount of success will depend on how active students are in the process.

Although the articles notes that Williamson has experienced a notable success in overall literacy at Shannon Elementary since she implemented the practice in November, Druker believes that television offers no solid replacement for lessons gained from books or the classroom. "On a passive level, closed captioning can definitely help students expand vocabulary and become familiar with words and their usage. However, it is important to remember that captions can are sometimes truncated or contain grammatical, which could make it more confusing for the student. Although students can look to television as an educational opportunity, they should still engage in independent reading and remain encouraged to ask teachers questions they may have about written language," Neil Druker concludes.

ABOUT:

Neil Druker is a professional and entrepreneur who lives in Boston, Massachusetts. He is actively involved with community issues and is an advocate for animal rights and encouraging the arts. In addition to these causes, Neil Druker is one of the strongest advocates for literacy in his community. Over the years, Druker has devoted a great deal of his time and energy to helping others learn to read and write, to getting kids involved in reading and to promoting literacy on every level possible.

Website: http://neildrukernow.net/