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Edited by Dr. David J. Ayersman, Mary Washington College, and Dr. W.
Michael Reed, New York University
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| formerly Journal of Research on Computing in
Education |
JRCE, Volume 33, Number 3, Spring
2001
Collateral
Benefits
of an Interactive Literacy Program for Grade 1 and 2
Students
John A. Ross, Anne Hogaboam-Gray, and Lynne
Hannay
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education,
University
of Toronto
Abstract
This study examined the collateral effects of
WiggleWorks
(1994–1996), an interactive literacy program,
in two
settings: a cohort study comparing random samples
of Grade
1 and 2 students (N = 452) before and after
software
implementation and a longitudinal sample tracing
students
from kindergarten to Grade 1 (N = 126).
WiggleWorks
contributed to greater student use of computers,
enhanced
computer skills, computer self-efficacy, and (in
Grade 1
only) enjoyment of computers. The univariate
effects were
of small to medium size and were robust across
grades and
genders. Positive effects were observed regardless
of whether
the school received new hardware at the time of
software
delivery or used existing equipment of sufficient
power
acquired a year earlier. The study suggests that
the high
cost of adopting interactive literacy software may
be warranted
if the program has benefits beyond its
contributions to
reading and writing skills.
Contributors
John Ross is a professor of curriculum,
teaching, and
learning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in
Education
at the University of Toronto (OISE/UT) and head of
the institute
field centre in Peterborough. His research
interests are
student assessment, program evaluation, and
instructional
innovation.
Anne Hogaboam-Gray is a professional research
officer
at OISE/UT. Her research interests are
computer-based instruction,
program evaluation, and early childhood education.
Lynne
Hannay is an associate professor of curriculum,
teaching,
and learning at OISE/UT and head of the
institute’s
field centre in Kitchener. Her research interests
are action
research, secondary school reform, and qualitative
research
methods.
Address: Dr. John A. Ross, Professor & Field
Centre
Head, OISE/UT Trent Valley Centre, Box 719, 150
O’Carroll
Ave., Peterborough, ON K9J 7A1 Canada; jross@ptbo.igs.net.
Download
the full article (PDF, 106 KB, PDF Instructions)
Copyright © 2001, ISTE (International Society for Technology
in Education).
All rights reserved.
| literacy, WiggleWorks, grades 1 and 2 |
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