2: Noah Webster Loves Phonics

A Novel Idea: The History of the Science of Reading

06/15/23 • 39 min

Hear ye, hear ye! In this episode, we travel all the way back to the 17th and 18th centuries to examine the Enlightenment-era roots of reading instruction as we know it. We will introduce several major players in the early days of literacy education, and examine the ways in which their actions have influenced today’s conversations surrounding literacy. Plus, hear from Natalie Wexler (Twitter: @natwexler), author of The Knowledge Gap, and Kate Will of the Iowa Reading Research Center.

Learn More:

In addition to the philosophical and pedagogical changes discussed in this episode, the concept of literacy education was also a subject of political discourse during these years. These resources provide more information on this angle of American literacy learning not covered in the episode and are excellent starting points to learn more.

Confronting Anti-Black Racism: Education, Harvard Library

library.harvard.edu/confronting-anti-black-racism/education

How literacy became a powerful weapon in the fight to end slavery, Colette Colman, HISTORY

www.history.com/news/nat-turner-rebellion-literacy-slavery

Episode transcript and sources

irrc.education.uiowa.edu/transcript-and-sources-novel-idea-episode-2

A Novel Idea website:

irrc.education.uiowa.edu/resources/novel-idea-podcast

06/15/23 • 39 min

A Novel Idea: The History of the Science of Reading - 2: Noah Webster Loves Phonics

Transcript

The 17th and 18th centuries marked the beginning of a period called the “Age of Enlightenment.” Coming out of the Renaissance era, people were really focused on things like philosophy, the arts, and social reform. Also, more people in Europe were learning to read than ever before. Some scholars estimate that literacy rates among free White men increased by as much as 30% during this period. This was also a time in which schools began to gain a little more structure and consistency, thanks

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