ICANREAD

Abstract

This pilot study explores the impact of online electronic storybooks (e-books) on the reading motivation and listening comprehension of six grade 1 students (aged 7 years) from Ontario, Canada. The researcher measured participants’ perceived enjoyment of the online e-book reading experience using standardized listening comprehension tests, motivation questionnaires, behavioural observation checklists, and take-home e-book reading logs. The researchers used a scoring rubric to assess participants’ oral responses to a set of embedded literal, inferential, and evaluative comprehension questions within each e-book read during the program sessions. The results from this study indicate that all of the participants increased their comprehension scores from pretest to posttest after using the online e-book reading program, enjoyed the e-book reading experience, and frequently read the online e-books at home in their free time.

Keywords:

• E-books
• Internet
• listening comprehension
• comprehension strategy use
• beginning reading instruction
• early childhood