The Use of CD-ROM Based Books To Improve Reading Comprehension in Second Grade Students.

This paper describes a practicum designed to use CD-ROM books as a supplement to the basal reading program to improve reading comprehension in second grade students from a predominantly rural area in Delaware. A non-equivalent control group design was used involving a 20-member treatment and a 16-member control group. Pre- and postreading comprehension tests were administered. During the treatment, students read and investigated the stories on the computer. Each group had a minimum of three 15-minute sessions each week. During this time, the children read the stories and investigated the vocabulary at the computer. Gains in reading achievement were evaluated using simple analysis of covariance. While results showed no statistical significance, comments from students and teachers indicated that the children were highly motivated to read the books on CD-ROM. (Eighteen references, information about the books on CD-ROM, a story log form, the analysis of covariance, and numerous samples of children's letters are attached.) (Author/RS)