Effective reading comprehensio
Effective reading comprehensioEFFECTING READING COMPREHENSION WITH COMPUTER QUIZZES
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of periodic computer-based comprehension quizzes in reading classrooms. Two special education resource-reading classes were used in this study. The students in one of the classes (Class X) received periodic computer-based comprehension quizzes as they read various books. The students in the other class (Class Y) did not. Both classes received computer-based comprehension tests upon completion of reading various books. After 5 six week periods (5/6 of the school year), the overall average grades were compared of 10 students randomly selected from each of the two classes. The results of the study did not show any conclusive evidence that the use of computer-based comprehension quizzes improved overall reading comprehension performance.
The Effects of Periodic Computer -Based Comprehension Quizzes in the Reading Classroom
Background Information
This study assessed differences among two special education resource-reading classes. The classes were two separate resource-reading classes at Flintville Junior High School in Flintville, Tennessee. Two separate teachers taught the two classes. During the 1998-1999 school year one of the resource teachers used computers in his classroom to give periodic comprehension quizzes to the reading students as they read various stories. The second teacher did not use computers for periodic comprehension quizzes.
At the end of the school year, the grades of the students for the year were compared. The purpose of the study was to determine whether there appeared to be any significant difference in the overall progress made in reading comprehension between the two classes.
Problem Statement
To establish a main focus in the study, the following problem statement was used: What are the differences in the overall reading comprehension grades of two separate resource-reading classes if one class is periodically quizzed with computer tests and the other is not?
Hypothesis Statement
If two separate resource-reading classes are tested on reading comprehension upon completion of stories they read, and one of the classes is given computer-based comprehension quizzes periodically as they read the stories, then there will be a difference in the overall reading comprehension grades of the two classes.
Hypothesis Rationale
Although only one of the classes was periodically given computer-based comprehension quizzes during the time they read stories, both resource-reading classes were evaluated upon completion of stories by Accelerated Reader computer-based tests. The Accelerated Reader program is a computer software program that uses computer-based multiple-choice tests to measure student's reading comprehension. The better students score on the tests, the more "points" they acquire. These points may later be used by students to "buy" incentive prizes such as yo-yo's, sunglasses, and other various prizes offered by the school librarian. It is an example of how computers are now being used in all subject areas in schools. In the past, computers were thought to only be useful in academic areas such as science and math. Recently, however, computers are now being used in other areas such...
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