During her years as a teacher, Dr Davis became fascinated with the reasons why some students found reading more challenging than others and why some teachers had difficulty teaching appropriate strategies to struggling students. This interest and concern took Dr Davis back to university in search of answers. Through her doctoral research, she found that two key factors influence student achievement - that when students are taught to use comprehension strategies "metacognitively", they become empowered to transfer their learning to new situations; and that teachers must use the assessment information they gather to ensure their teaching targets students' individual needs.

As Dr Davis explains in her recent book 'Teaching Reading Comprehension', "the most effective instruction happens in the classroom of teachers who understand how to teach comprehension (along with decoding, vocabulary, and fluency) and who also use assessment information to base their teaching on the actual needs of their students. It is the use of both these strands that makes all the difference."

The research that forms the basis of Dr Davis's book was carried out over five years, during which the results "consistently showed a dramatic increase in achievement with both struggling and able readers." This happened across a wide variety of schools, teachers, and students.

"It was clear that what the teachers of readers were doing made all the difference," says Dr Davis. "They learned to use a "metacognitive" approach to comprehension instruction and they consistently engaged students in evaluating their own learning. They showed that they were able to take research into their daily practice and make a significant difference to the outcomes of their students."

The understandings, learning, and solutions that Dr Davis has developed form the basis of the forthcoming series of workshops to be held across the country, targeted at all teachers and educators working in years three to eight.

Dr Davis is currently active in a number of literacy and educational projects.

She leads an inner city schooling improvement project in South Auckland New Zealand aimed at raising literacy achievement of students years 1-9. She is also the author of a recently published text 'Teaching Reading Comprehension'. that explores the role of metacognition in learning and focuses on student learning about what skilled readers actually do.

Her recent research explores effective teaching and learning practices in teaching reading and writing, and the various ways teachers and schools effectively use student achievement data to inform teaching practices. She is a well known speaker within a range of countries, always offering practical examples to support teachers with their students.

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Books by Dr. Alison Davis: 'Teaching Reading Comprehension'

If you enjoyed 'THE reading and writing series', Dr. Alsion Davis has also written a book titled 'Teaching Reading Comprehension'. Those wishing to purchase this book in Australia should contact Modern Teaching Aids , for USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand and other countries please contact Learning Media Direct