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ABRACADABRA Aids Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Early Literacy in Australia: Evidence from a Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial
Computers & Education
  • Jennifer R. Wolgemuth, Charles Darwin University
  • Robert Savage, McGill University
  • Janet Helmer, Charles Darwin University
  • Helen Harper, Charles Darwin University
  • Tess Lea, Charles Darwin University
  • Phillip C. Abrami, Concordia University
  • Adrienne Kirby, University of Sydney
  • Kalotina Chalkiti, Charles Darwin University
  • Peter Morris, Charles Darwin University
  • Jonathan Carapetis, Charles Darwin University
  • William Louden, University of Western Australia
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2013
Keywords
  • computer-based instruction,
  • early literacy,
  • phonological awareness,
  • indigenous populations,
  • randomized experiment
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2013.04.002
Abstract

In many western countries, identifiable populations of children read below age-expectations, and the need for effective interventions remains pressing. Indigenous populations across the globe tend to have reading outcomes lower than comparative general populations. This is a critical issue in Australia's Northern Territory where Indigenous students are far less likely to meet minimum reading standards. There is some evidence to suggest that computer-based instruction may be of particular benefit to struggling readers. To redress reading disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, a multisite single-blind randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of the ABRACADABRA web-based reading tool, http://abralite.concordia.ca, on reading, letter knowledge, and phonological awareness was conducted in Northern Territory, Australian primary schools with 164 intervention and 148 control (regular instruction) children. The total sample was 28% Indigenous. Results revealed that all intervention group students made significant gains in phonological awareness (d = .37) and phoneme-grapheme knowledge over control group peers (d = .37). Indigenous students gained significantly more per hour of instruction than non-Indigenous students in phonological awareness and early literacy skills. Results suggest that ABRACADABRA prevents lags in foundational literacy experienced by poor readers including Indigenous students.

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Computers & Education, v. 67, p. 250-264

Citation Information
Jennifer R. Wolgemuth, Robert Savage, Janet Helmer, Helen Harper, et al.. "ABRACADABRA Aids Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Early Literacy in Australia: Evidence from a Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial" Computers & Education Vol. 67 (2013) p. 250 - 264
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jennifer-wolgemuth/5/