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 Trosko, professor of pediatrics and human development for the College of Human Medicine, discusses his research with stem cells.
Publish Date: Nov. 12, 2009 | Multimedia: 
Growing up near London’s East End, assistant professor Suzanne Evans Wagner wondered why some of her friends had a Cockney accent and she didn’t. Wagner’s fascination with speech and linguistics evolved into education and a career.
Publish Date: Nov. 06, 2009 | Multimedia:
Henry Brimmer, assistant professor in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, talks about his graphic design experience in Havana.
Publish Date: Oct. 29, 2009 | Multimedia:
Robert Blake, director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, discusses the role of the center.
Publish Date: Oct. 22, 2009 | Multimedia:
Barbara Given, associate dean for research of the College of Nursing, talks about current research in the college.
Publish Date: Oct. 16, 2009 | Multimedia:
Steve Zepf, professor and associate chair of astronomy, talks about his research with globular clusters and black holes.
Publish Date: Oct. 08, 2009 | Multimedia:
Karl Gude, lecturer in the School of Journalism, discusses his work with visual journalism and his role in the College of Law exhibit, "The Presentation of Art as Evidence."
Publish Date: Oct. 01, 2009 | Multimedia:
Kevin Sedatole discusses his role as director of bands in the College of Music and as coordinator of the Collage concert series.
Publish Date: Sept. 24, 2009 | Multimedia:
Joan Rose, the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research, talks about one of her goals to help Michigan State University become the state’s center for water science and technology.
Publish Date: Sept. 18, 2009 | Multimedia:
Kimberly Fenn, assistant professor of psychology, discusses her study suggesting that sleep reduces mistakes in memory.
Publish Date: Sept. 11, 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.