About
Understanding the Science of Reading: One of Anchin's Most Popular Offerings
One of the Anchin Center鈥檚 most in-demand professional learning opportunities, Understanding the Science of Reading, continues to draw educators each fall and spring semester. Designed for classroom teachers, this self-paced, online course explores the research behind how students learn to read and how educators can apply those insights in practice.
Over six weeks, participants examine key components of effective reading instruction, including phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development, comprehension, and inclusive literacy practices. The course emphasizes explicit, systematic, and multisensory approaches to literacy instruction, with particular attention to supporting students with decoding difficulties, dyslexia, and other reading challenges.
Taught by Dr. AnnMarie Alberton Gunn, Associate Professor of Literacy Studies in the USF College of Education, the course offers teachers flexible learning through asynchronous modules and virtual office hours. Importantly, it also fulfills the Florida Department of Education鈥檚 40-hour reading instruction requirement for teacher recertification, making it a valuable and practical option for educators across multiple certification areas.
With consistently high enrollment and strong participant feedback, Understanding the Science of Reading has become a cornerstone of the Anchin Center鈥檚 professional learning portfolio, helping educators strengthen their practice and better serve all students.