IOE honorary professor wins the UKLA Academic Book Award 2021

The book outlines effective ways of using digital books in early years and primary classrooms, and looks at the educational potential of using digital books and apps in physical spaces and virtual communities. In particular, the book highlights personalised reading, which, as Professor Kucirkova argues, is most beneficial when stories are co-created and shared by reading communities.

Split into two parts, the book first suggests criteria to evaluate the educational quality of digital books and looks at practical strategies for their use in the classroom. The second part explores digital books created by children and their teachers and caregivers. It also examines how smart toys and augmented and virtual reality tools can enrich children’s reading for pleasure.

In an announcement published on the UKLA website, Professor Kucirkova’s book was praised by the judging panel for being “a timely, informative, innovative, practical, well signposted and up-to-date book effectively grounded in the author’s experiences as both practitioner and researcher.” Additionally, “its well-organised format and recommendations for further reading were valued, while the way it explains the technology was considered most helpful.”

“The qualities of Kucirkova’s book cover many of the criteria for this award, especially being based on sound, diverse and inclusive research, making a distinctive contribution to literacy education and encouraging teachers to be reflective, innovative and creative. A clearly, deserving winner.”

How and Why to Read and Create Children's Digital Books was published by UCL Press on 3 December 2018.

Natalia Kucirkova is Professor of Early Childhood Education and Development at the University of Stavanger, Norway, and Professor of Reading and Children’s Development at The Open University, UK, as well as Honorary Professor at UCL Institute of Education (IOE).

Links

• Read the UKLA website story: ‘UKLA announces the winner of the UKLA Academic Book Award 2021’
• How and Why to Read and Create Children's Digital Books: A Guide for Primary Practitioners
• View Natalia Kucirkova's profile
• Read More about Children’s Digital Books

Image

Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash