| Edited by Diane McGrath, Kansas State University |
formerly Journal of Research on Computing in
Education
Using Electronic Books to
Promote Vocabulary
Development
Norman Higgins, Laura Hess
UFSD #4, Northport, NY
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the
effectiveness
of selected vocabulary-
building activities on the learning and retention
of unfamiliar
words when used in conjunction with the animation
features
found in an electronic books. Twenty-two children
were randomly
assigned to either a control group that viewed
only animation
cues to learn the meanings of unfamiliar words or
to an
experimental group that received supplemental
vocabulary-building
instruction in conjunction with the animated cues.
Those
children who received supplemental instruction in
conjunction
with the animated cues scored significantly higher
on a
six-item vocabulary posttest than children who
only viewed
the animated cues. The design and validation of
supplemental
activities used in conjunction with popular
electronic books
is discussed as is the need to examine the
practicality,
efficiency, and appeal of activities that
supplement electronic
books in school reading programs.
Contributors
Norman Higgins is a professor of educational
technology
in the Department of Educational Leadership and
Technology,
in the Dowling College School of Education. Laura
Hess is
a third-grade teacher at the Fifth Avenue
Elementary School
in East-Northport, NY. (Address: Norman Higgins,
Department
of Educational Leadership and Technology, School
of Education,
Dowling College, Oakdale, NY 11769-1999; higginsn@dowling.edu.)
A PDF file of the full article is available.
Contact: jrte@iste.org. Please
specifiy Volume and Issue number and article name.
Copyright © 1999, ISTE
(International
Society for Technology in Education). All rights reserved.
| vocabulary-building activities |
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