Does whole-word multimedia software support literacy acquisition?

Karemaker, A.M.; Pitchford, N.J.; O'Malley, C.

Abstract

This study examined the extent to which multimedia features of typical literacy learning software provide added benefits for developing literacy skills compared with typical whole-class teaching methods. The effectiveness of the multimedia software Oxford Reading Tree (ORT) for Clicker in supporting early literacy acquisition was investigated through a classroom-based intervention study by comparing ORT for Clicker to traditional ORT Big Books. Sixty-one typically developing readers, aged 5–6 years, from four primary classes were each given the two interventions. Each intervention was delivered over five one-hour sessions over the course of 1 week. Performance on tasks of written word recognition, written word naming, and phonological awareness, was measured before and after each intervention. Significantly greater gains in word recognition, word naming, rhyme awareness, segmentation skill, and grapheme awareness were found after the ORT for Clicker compared to the traditional ORT Big Book intervention. This study shows that whole-word multimedia software can be more effective than traditional printed texts from the same reading scheme at supporting the development of early literacy skills.

Citation

Karemaker, A., Pitchford, N., & O'Malley, C. (2010). Does whole-word multimedia software support literacy acquisition?. Reading and Writing, 23(1), 31-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-008-9148-4

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Sep 27, 2008
• Publication Date: 2010
• Deposit Date: Aug 15, 2018
• Journal: Reading and writing.
• Print ISSN: 0922-4777
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-0905
• Publisher: Springer
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 31-51
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-008-9148-4
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1317491