Synchronized Multimedia E-Book Development for Reading Fluency and Comprehension

The purpose of this project is to study the relation between the use of computer-based multimedia e-books and children's reading fluency and comprehension. The researchers are carrying out the project in three phases. In the first phase, the researchers are observing 3rd grade students' use of e-book materials over a 15-week period and are developing a model of fluency and comprehension change based on their observations. In the second phase, they are studying student learning in eight third grade classrooms, four of which are using e-books during the first of two eight week periods, and four of which are using e-books during the second eight week period. Student performance data collected weekly during this period will be used to compare student performance with and without e-books. In the third phase, students in eight second or third grade classrooms will be randomly assigned either to a group that uses the e-book program or to one that uses another computer literacy program, and after eight weeks the groups will switch programs. Again the researchers will measure student reading fluency and comprehension throughout the sixteen-week period. The goal of the project is to develop an e-book reading program that allows students to monitor their progress in reading and increase students' reading fluency and comprehension.