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Click, read, learn: The science behind literacy edtech episode artwork

Jan 22, 2026 27 min

Click, read, learn: The science behind literacy edtech

from School's In

Can edtech really teach kids to read? What works, what doesn’t, and what does the research say about tools for decoding versus comprehension? On this episode of School’s In, Stanford Professor Rebecca Silverman joins us to explore how educational technology can meaningfully support reading development. From helping students learn to decode words to supporting deeper reading comprehension, she explains what the latest research tells us about what works and what doesn’t – and the dangers of over-gamification. She covers several topics, including: (03:34) Differentiation: The promise of literacy edtech (05:45) Games, motivation, and what the research says (13:19) Decoding vs. comprehension, and why some skills are harder to teach with tech (18:03) Effective strategies for teaching comprehension (22:03) Practical takeaways for parents and educators Rebecca Silverman is a professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. Her research explores how children learn to read and how educational tools can help improve literacy outcomes. She began her career as an elementary school teacher, and today her teaching emphasizes the importance of connecting research and classroom practice. Learn more about her work on her faculty profile. School’s In is your go-to podcast for cutting-edge insights and fresh perspectives on the future of learning. Hosted by Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) Dean Dan Schwartz and Senior Lecturer Denise Pope, each episode dives into the latest research, innovations, and real-world challenges shaping education today. Stanford GSE is at the forefront of education research and teacher preparation, dedicated to advancing equitable, accessible, and impactful learning experiences for all. Stay connected with the latest insights—subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads. Mentioned in this episode: Got 5 minutes? Take our quick listener survey and help us make School's In even better: podpolls.com/school

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This episode was published on January 22, 2026.

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