Research

Comparing pre and post Reading Fluency assessments.

In February, the teacher selected a reading passage at each of the student’s instructional reading level that the student had not seen. The student read orally for one minute while the teacher recorded the student using “Voice Memos” on the iPod and marked any errors on a copy of the passage. The teacher then used a “Multidimensional Fluency Scale” to score the student’s reading fluency. A highlighter was used on the scale to make it easy for teachers to repeat the same process with a different colour in May and document in this way the student’s progress and reading growth. This allowed the teacher to assess each student’s word recognition and reading fluency in an effective manner.

This model has been repeated from October 2011 to May 2012 and from October 2012 to April 2013. Some classes began using the iPad mini early in 2013.

Teachers focused on a number of reading fluency activities during their class time to allow the students to practice their expression and volume, phrasing, smoothness and pace. In some of these activities, students used their iPods or iPads to record themselves reading and then listened to the recording while following along with the text. This enabled the students to reflect on their own reading and to discuss their errors with their teacher. Students also used a variety of leveled texts, story and reading apps, and audio books to listen to good examples of fluent reading and to practice themselves.

Read about the results here and read more about the Literacy iPod Project here.