Incorporating a Digital Curriculum in Pre-Kindergarten to Reduce the Risk of School Failure in Kindergarten

• In Event: Roundtable Session 51
  In Roundtable Session: Digital Technology in K–12 Education

Abstract

Educational technology can play an important role in kindergarten readiness; particularly for at-risk pre-kindergarten students. A naturalistic, quantitative research study (N=230) found that integrating a digital curriculum decreased the risk for school failure. Teachers used ABCmouse.com naturally to provide information on whether technology is being embraced and integrated into pre-kindergarten teaching. The results indicated that ABCmouse.com helped at-risk pre-kindergarten students to learn. Higher levels of usage and student-directed use of ABCmouse.com contributed to significant improvement in their post-test scores on the EPSF. ABCmouse.com was most beneficial for below target students; however, this conclusion is limited by a ceiling effect on the pre-test. Scaffolding students with engaging cultural tools is an effective way to reduce the risk of school failure.

Authors

• DeAnna Noelle Owens, The University of Memphis

• Leslie Ponciano, Age of Learning Inc.

• KP Thai, Age of Learning, Inc