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Children’s Development of Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension Skills Through an Interactive, Educational Video Game

Sun, April 15, 10:35am to 12:05pm, Sheraton Wall Centre, Floor: Third Level, North Junior Ballroom C

Abstract

The transition between 3rd and 4th grades from learning to read to reading to learn challenges many children. Mission to Planet 429 (MP429; http://pbskids.org/mp429/index.php) is an interactive educational videogame designed to support the development of reading comprehension skills and vocabulary in 1st – 3rd grade readers. In MP429, players solve challenges involving simple machines that require reading informational texts. In the current study, children (ages 6-8 years; N = 132) recruited from summer programs for lower income students were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. All children received pre- and posttest measures of reading comprehension, content specific vocabulary and interest in reading informational texts. One hour a day for two weeks, the intervention group played MP429 while the control group played games from an educational game site (Discovery Kids). Although there was not a significant difference in posttest scores for reading comprehension for the two groups, β = .03, t (1, 106) = 0.56, n.s., the intervention group did have a modest, but significantly greater increase in vocabulary than the control group, β = .15, t (1,116) = 1.87, p < .05, d = .3. There was also a non-significant, positive trend for the intervention group to have greater increased enjoyment and interest in reading informational texts, β = .11, p = .11. The results of this study suggest that well-designed educational videogames can support vocabulary development and increase interest in informational texts, but a longer intervention may be needed to support the development of reading comprehension skills. The results will be discussed in light of effective design of video games for learning, as well as the use of video games to bridge home and school learning, particularly for literacy.

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