scholarly journals iSTART StairStepper—Using Comprehension Strategy Training to Game the Test

Computers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Tracy Arner ◽  
Kathryn S. McCarthy ◽  
Danielle S. McNamara
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Standardized Test ◽  
Skill Training ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Literacy Skill ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
Comprehension Strategy

Literacy skills are critical for future success, yet over 60% of high school seniors lack proficient reading skills according to standardized tests. The focus on high stakes, standardized test performance may lead educators to “teach-to-the-test” rather than supporting transferable comprehension strategies that students need. StairStepper can fill this gap by blending necessary test prep and reading comprehension strategy practice in a fun, game-based environment. StairStepper is an adaptive literacy skill training game within Interactive Strategy Training for Active Reading and Thinking (iSTART) intelligent tutoring system. StairStepper is unique in that it models text passages and multiple-choice questions of high-stakes assessments, iteratively supporting skill acquisition through self-explanation prompts and scaffolded, adaptive feedback based on performance and self-explanations. This paper describes an experimental study employing a delayed-treatment control design to evaluate users’ perceptions of the StairStepper game and its influence on reading comprehension scores. Results indicate that participants enjoyed the visual aspects of the game environment, wanted to perform well, and considered the game feedback helpful. Reading comprehension scores of students in the treatment condition did not increase. However, the comprehension scores of the control group decreased. Collectively, these results indicate that the StairStepper game may fill the intended gap in instruction by providing enjoyable practice of essential reading comprehension skills and test preparation, potentially increasing students’ practice persistence while decreasing teacher workload.

scholarly journals Improving Reading Comprehension Using Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL)

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Yudha Aprizani
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Direct Instruction ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Alternative Hypothesis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Contextual Teaching ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Instruction Approach

This study aimed to find out whether teaching-learning reading comprehension using Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) would get better results than using Direct Instruction approach. The research used a quantitative method. The population of the research was students from the Islamic University of Kalimantan Muhammad Arsyad Al-Banjari. The researcher used cluster random sampling to select two sample groups, the control group and the experimental group. The control group with 25 students was the class that continued to use the Direct Instruction approach. The experimental group, with 20 students, was the class tested using the CTL approach. The test was a written test with five multiple choice questions plus an essay test. The test was used to obtain the data. The students’ scores were the data for the study of reading comprehension comparing CTL and Direct Instruction. Based on the results of the study, the researcher found that CTL was more effective than Direct Instruction because the null hypothesis was rejected and the alternative hypothesis was accepted so that CTL was found to be better for teaching reading skills. CTL encourages materials that are related to the students’ surrounding so that it helps them use English related to their daily activities.

scholarly journals On Non-English Majors’ Strategy Training in English Reading Comprehension

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 153
Author(s):  
Xiaoling Yang
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Reading Competence ◽  
English Reading ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
English Majors ◽  
English Reading Comprehension ◽  
Experimental Group

This paper reviewed the literature of the previous research and questionnaire survey on reading strategy. Based on theories of psycholinguistics, a five-week experiment was carried out in order to probe into the effectiveness of strategy training. The experiment was designed to answer the following question: Can reading comprehension be improved by strategy training? Two groups of subjects from non-English majors participated in the experiment and questionnaire survey. Experimental group received training on reading strategies while control group didn’t. By comparing the results of the pretest and posttest of the two groups, the effectiveness of strategy training was examined. The results of data analysis indicated that both efficient and non-efficient readers use strategies to facilitate their reading and there was no significant difference between them with regard to strategy use in general, but some strategies were especially favored by the efficient readers and that reading competence could be improved by strategy training.

scholarly journals Do Different Instruction Modalities Matter? Exploring the Influence of Concept Mapping and Translation Strategies Instruction on the Reading Comprehension Ability of Adult EFL Learners

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 761
Author(s):  
Mehran Davaribina ◽  
Shahram Esfandiari Asl
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Concept Mapping ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Translation Strategy ◽  
Comprehension Ability ◽  
Reading Comprehension Ability

The present study was an attempt to compare the effect of concept mapping strategy instruction and translation strategy instruction on the reading comprehension ability of the Iranian EFL learners. To do so, 90 EFL learners at the intermediate level studying in a language institute in Ardabil, north Iran were randomly assigned into three equal groups (concept map, translation and control).  Having taken a reading pretest, the participants in experimental groups were instructed using mentioned strategies whereas the control group learners were taught the same content with no strategies integrated. Results of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that the participants in the experimental groups significantly outperformed the participants in the control group, suggesting that the application of concept mapping and translation strategy training can generate more positive effect on the reading comprehension ability of the learners. Also, the findings of the study indicated that the concept mapping group outperformed the translation strategy group on the reading posttest. Pedagogical implications and suggestions of the study will be discussed.

The effect of metacognitive strategy training on reading comprehension and metacognitive knowledge

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 255-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Kusiak
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Reading Skills ◽  
Metacognitive Knowledge ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Metacognitive Strategy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Regulatory Strategies ◽  
Metacognitive Strategy Training

This article discusses the results of research investigating the effect of metacognitive strategy training on the reading comprehension and metacognitive knowledge of Polish intermediate learners of English as a foreign language. Results of a pretest and posttest questionnaire and a reading comprehension test administered to both an experimental and a control group of students suggest that students who were taught to apply self-regulatory strategies while performing a task related to reading could enhance their metacognitive knowledge of themselves as readers, their perceptions of the reading process and reading strategies, and their motivation as well as self-evaluation of reading skills. With respect to the students’ reading comprehension, a comparison of the effect of the training on students at two levels of language competence indicates that the training was more effective for the less proficient students. The study points to the effectiveness of metacognitive strategy training for students at an intermediate level of language proficiency. It also stresses the significance of learners’ beliefs concerning reading and underscores the role of metacognition in developing reading skills.

The Impact of Explicit Comprehension Strategy Instruction on First- and Second-Grade At-Risk Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 199 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-141
Author(s):  
Paola Pilonieta ◽  
Jennifer Hathaway ◽  
Adriana Medina ◽  
Amanda Casto
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Group Treatment ◽  
At Risk Students ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Comprehension Strategy Instruction ◽  
Comprehension Strategy ◽  
The Impact

This study examined the impact of explicit comprehension strategy instruction supported by guided reading and partner reading on at-risk students’ strategy knowledge and reading comprehension. Participants were 47 first graders (25 in the treatment group; 22 in the control group) and 44 second graders (19 in the treatment group; 25 in the control group). Treatment group participants developed more specific knowledge of strategies, were more likely to apply those strategies during reading, and demonstrated statistically significant growth in reading comprehension. Strong correlations appeared between students’ strategic knowledge and overall comprehension. Implications are addressed at length following the discussion of results.

How to “TRAP” Information: A Reading Comprehension Strategy for Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

2021 ◽  
pp. 004005992098109
Author(s):  
Sara Sanders ◽  
Kristine Jolivette ◽  
Lauren Hart Rollins ◽  
Ashley Shaw
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Reading Instruction ◽  
Behavioral Disorders ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Disorders ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Metacognitive Skills ◽  
Instructional Approach ◽  
Comprehension Strategy

The intertwined academic and behavior deficits, often referred to as the failure cycle, of students with and at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) negatively impact learning and skill acquisition. Reading comprehension is one academic area where students with and at risk for EBD display significant deficits. The self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) instructional approach is one method that accounts for students’ metacognitive skills and learning behaviors, making it a promising approach for use with students with and at risk for EBD, including students served in more restrictive settings. This article provides an overview of SRSD, a reading comprehension strategy taught using the SRSD instructional approach, and describes how to integrate low-intensity behavior strategies into SRSD reading instruction to further support the needs of students with and at risk for EBD.

scholarly journals The Impact of Metacognitive Strategy Training on Comprehension Monitoring among Moroccan EFL University Learners

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Mohammed Msaddek
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Metacognitive Strategy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Metacognitive Strategy Training ◽  
The Impact

This experimental study is intended to uncover how the meaning-checking procedure is conducted by Moroccan English as a foreign language (EFL) learners and explore the perceived impact of metacognitive strategy instruction on the way they monitor their comprehension act in textual processing. Predicated on a pre-post-test design, the study is a manifestation of the extent to which the learners’ monitoring behaviour during the reading process can be subject to utter improvement through the conduct of an instructional intervention. To investigate this issue at length and provide plausible, pertinent evidence, a sample of 113 of Moroccan first-semester students majoring in English Studies were targeted. The data were elicited through the usage of such research instruments as reading comprehension texts (i.e., narrative, expository), ‘self-report questionnaire’ and reading comprehension tests (i.e., pre-test, post-test). The findings evinced that, owing to strategy instruction, the comprehension-checking behavior among the experimental group (n=63) significantly improved at post-test compared to the control group (n=50). Finally, some practical implications are brought forward and a few limitations confronting the study under focus are cited.

iSTART-E: Reading Comprehension Strategy Training for Spanish Speakers

2018 ◽  
pp. 215-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn S. McCarthy ◽  
Christian Soto ◽  
Cecilia Malbrán ◽  
Liliana Fonseca ◽  
Marian Simian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Spanish Speakers ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Comprehension Strategy

scholarly journals The Effect of Scientific Approach Based on Tutorial Video on Students’ Reading Comprehension of Procedure Text (A Quasi-Experimental Research at Grade VIII of SMPN 4 Kota Bengkulu)

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ahyauddin Ma’id ◽  
Azwandi Azwandi ◽  
Arono Arono
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Experimental Research ◽  
General Information ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Scientific Approach ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Procedure Text ◽  
Information Finding

This research aimed to find out whether there was any effect of implementation scientific based approach using tutorial video on students’ reading comprehension as a whole and various aspects in procedure text at grade VIII of SMPN 4 Kota Bengkulu. The design was a quasi-experimental research. The sample consisted of 50 students at grade VIII SMPN 4 Kota Bengkulu, 25 students for experiment group and 25 students for control group. The instrument was a reading test which comprised 50 multiple choice questions, the instrument was tried out with r=0,970. The research findings were as follows; (1) Scientific approach based on tutorial video affected students’ whole reading comprehension; (2) scientific approach based on tutorial video affected students’ reading comprehension in various aspects of reading comprehension, namely; finding general information, finding specific information, integrating information, and learning from text. Further study is recommended for other text types.Key Words: Reading Comprehension, Scientific Approach, Tutorial Video

TEACHING READING BY UTILIZING HOT POTATOES SOFTWARE TOWARD STUDENTS’ READING COMPREHENSION OF DESCRIPTIVE TEXT

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Abdullah Farih
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Alternative Hypothesis ◽  
T Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Teaching Reading ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
Level Of Significance ◽  
And Control

The objective of this study is to measure whether there is or not significant effect of teaching reading by utilizing Hot Potatoes software toward students’ reading comprehension of descriptive text. The variables used were the teaching treatment of Hot Potatoes Software as the independent variable and the students’ reading comprehension of Descriptive Text as dependent variable. Then, the research designed was Quasi-experimental design and the presentation of data used was quantitative. The data were obtained from the eleventh grade, of which 28 students were taken as sample. The students are divided into two groups; experiment group consisted of 12 students and control group consists of 16 students. To get the data, the pre-test and post-test were applied and then analyzed using t-test formula. The researcher had concluded that there is Significant effect of Hot Potatoes Software toward the students’ reading comprehension achievement. The result showed that mean of students’ post-test was increased. It is proved by the t-test (8.54) which is higher than t-table (2.05) at level of significance 5%. It means that the alternative hypothesis was accepted and it proved that Hot Potatoes Software had significant effect toward students’ reading comprehension of Descriptive Text

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