Using Computer-based Instruction to Improve Indigenous Early Literacy in Northern Australia

  • Jennifer R. Wolgemuth (Speaker)
  • Ehrich, J. (Speaker)
  • Janet Helmer (Speaker)
  • Lea, T. (Speaker)
  • Susan Emmett (Speaker)
  • Philip C. Abrami (Speaker)
  • Robert Samuel Savage (Speaker)

    Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation

    Description

    To address Indigenous students’ poor literacy outcomes in Northern Australia, a web-based reading support tool, ABRACADABRA (ABRA), was implemented in seven Northern Territory (NT) primary schools. The implementation was evaluated using a single group pretest-posttest design in 2008 and a quasi-experimental design in 2009. Results of the 2008 study revealed both Indigenous students and non-Indigenous students’ early literacy scores improved, but non-Indigenous students’ gain scores were significantly higher. The 2009 study data will be analysed to further investigate ABRA’s potential to confer literacy skills to Indigenous students. However, our findings to date confirm that the ‘gap’ between Indigenous and non-Indigenous literacy preparedness commences early and needs more intensive support than teacher supplementation via computer-based literacy instruction is able to provide.
    Period3 May 2010
    Event titleAmerican Educational Research Association Annual Meeting (2010)
    Event typeConference
    LocationDenver, United States, ColoradoShow on map