ERIC Number: ED614240
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Content Not Form Predicts Oral Language Comprehension: The Influence of the Medium on Preschoolers' Story Understanding
Neuman, Susan B.; Wong, Kevin M.; Kaefer, Tanya
Grantee Submission
The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of digital and non-digital storybooks on low-income preschoolers' oral language comprehension. Employing a within-subject design on 38 four-year-olds from a Head Start program, we compared the effect of medium on preschoolers' target words and comprehension of stories. Four digital storybooks were adapted and printed for read-alouds. Children were randomly read two stories on the digital platform, and two by the assessors. Following the story, children completed vocabulary and comprehension tasks, and a brief motivation checklist. We found no significant differences across medium; children comprehended equally well regardless of whether the story was read digitally or in person. However, using repeated ANOVA measures, we found a significant main effect of the story read. This research indicates that the content of the book rather than its form predicts story comprehension. Implications for using digital media in the preschool years are discussed. [This is the online version of an article published in "Reading and Writing." For the final published version of this article, see EJ1152804.]
Descriptors: Oral Language, Story Reading, Low Income Groups, Disadvantaged Youth, Preschool Education, Comparative Analysis, Reading Aloud to Others, Vocabulary Skills, Listening Comprehension, Task Analysis, Information Technology, Teaching Methods, Prediction, Preschool Children, Emergent Literacy, Intelligence Tests, Verbal Ability, Vocabulary, Story Grammar, Readability Formulas, Readability, Research Assistants, Audio Equipment
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test; Flesch Reading Ease Formula
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305A150143