Evaluation of a computer-based reading intervention in infant and junior schools

Roderick Nicolson, Angela Fawcett, Margaret Nicolson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (journal)peer-review

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Recent studies (Fawcett et al, 1999; Nicolson et al, 1999) have demonstrated that 6 and 8 year old children found to be at risk of reading failure can be provided with very cost-effective support using traditional teaching methods. Nonetheless, a significant minority of children failed to make sufficient progress. The present studies undertook a replication of these studies, using the RITA computer-based literacy support system. The RITA system assists, rather than replaces, the teacher in providing support tailored to each child’s profile of reading attainments. The results indicated that the RITA support was both educationally effective and economically effective, with comparable cost effectiveness to the traditional approach when used with infant school children (6 year olds), and somewhat greater cost effectiveness when used with junior school children (8 year olds). All groups of children reacted very positively to the RITA lessons. It is suggested that computer-assisted reading support can be effective in supporting children at risk of reading failure, even at junior school level. United Kingdom Reading Association 2000.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)194-209
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Research in Reading
Volume23
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2000

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