Faculty conversations is an occasional video feature showcasing faculty research and work at MSU. To suggest a faculty member to spotlight, please e-mail staff-faculty@news.msu.edu.
Contact: Angela Minicuci, University Relations student writer, Office: (517) 355-2281, angela.minicuci@ur.msu.edu
Published: Nov. 19, 2009 E-mail Editor
Patricia Edwards, distinguished professor in the College of Education. Photo by G.L. Kohuth
Click on an image to view a larger or high-resolution version.
When it comes to the literacy status of children, University Distinguished Professor Patricia Edwards stresses the importance of reading within the family.
“One of the things I have focused on a lot is parental responsibility,” Edwards said. “We need to help parents have an understanding of the kinds of things they can be doing prior to their kids coming to school. While some people say the teacher is the paid teacher, the first teacher is the family.”
Currently serving as president-elect for the International Reading Association and teaching for the College of Education, Edwards has developed two nationally acclaimed family literacy programs, “Parents and Partners in Reading” and “Talking Your Way to Literacy.”
She recognizes some parents cannot read and in turn may not feel able teaching their children to read. But through her programs, Edwards has not only urged parents to read to their children, but also to talk about books with their children to improve literacy.
“To me, reading and literacy takes you places where you would not be able to go. More families need to understand that, when you read to a child, it’s not just for entertainment; it’s actually giving the child the tools of literacy,” Edwards said.
###
(file size: 16.39 MB, file length: 00:02:32)
Patricia Edwards discusses her positions as the president-elect for the International Reading Association and distinguished professor with the College of Education.
Transcript for: Faculty conversations: Patricia Edwards
James Pritchett, director of the African Studies Center at Michigan State University, discusses how International Studies and Programs mobilize resources and bring students and professors together to study cultures.
Publish Date: Sept. 03, 2009 | Multimedia: 
History professor David Robinson speaks about his research on Islam in Africa.
Publish Date: Aug. 27, 2009 | Multimedia:
Karin Pfeiffer, assistant professor of kinesiology, discusses her research on physical activity and behavior in children and adolescents.
Publish Date: Aug. 20, 2009 | Multimedia:
Associate professor Robert Shelton talks about his role in the Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University.
Publish Date: Aug. 13, 2009 | Multimedia:
Stephen Lacy talks about his new role as associate dean in undergraduate studies in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
Publish Date: Aug. 06, 2009 | Multimedia:
Mechanical engineering professor Ranjan Mukherjee describes his NSF-funded research on biped robots.
Publish Date: July 30, 2009 | Multimedia:
Ray McLellan talks about his role as university carillonneur and the annual Muelder Summer Concert Series at Beaumont Tower.
Publish Date: July 23, 2009 | Multimedia:
Geri Alumit Zeldes, assistant professor in the School of Journalism, discusses her first documentary, “Arabs, Jews, and the News.”
Publish Date: July 16, 2009 | Multimedia:
Linda Gross, director of freshman seminars initiative, talks about the program and what it offers students.
Publish Date: July 10, 2009 | Multimedia:
Leonard Fleck, philosophy professor and faculty member in MSU’s Center for Ethics and Humanities in the Life Sciences, talks about his idea of rationing health care coverage.
Publish Date: June 25, 2009 | Multimedia:
*Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to read PDF documents.
Site Map | Accessibility of this Site | News Bulletin Archive | Contact Us | MSU Home
University Relations • 403 Olds Hall • East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1047 • (517) 355-2281 • Fax: (517) 353-5368
© 2009 Michigan State University Board of Trustees East Lansing, MI 48824.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.