1 Introduction
1.1 Reading comprehension and collaborative learning
1.2 Reading comprehension and text complexity
1.3 Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL)
1.4 New literacies theory
1.5 The present study
- H1. Fourth-grade students of New York City public schools will not display statistically significant difference in comprehension levels when reading eighth-grade level texts individually in comparison to group reading with Internet access for research support as measured by the scores obtained on text comprehension questions; and
- H2. Fourth-grade students of New York City public schools will not display statistically significant difference in comprehension levels when reading in groups with Internet access for research support of fourth-grade level texts in comparison to reading eighth-grade level texts, as measured by the scores obtained on text comprehension questions.
1.6 Participants and procedure
- Eighth-grade level offline texts independently
- Eighth-grade level offline texts in groups with Internet access as a supporting tool
- Fourth-grade level offline texts in groups with Internet access as a supporting tool
2 Results
2.1 Individual vs group reading with internet access of complex and at-grade-level texts
Measure | Sum of Squares | df | Mean Square | F | p |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Session 1 | |||||
Between Groups | 105.603 | 2 | 52.802 | 44.034 | .000 |
Within Groups | 137.897 | 115 | 1.199 | ||
Total | 243.500 | 117 | |||
Session 2 | |||||
Between Groups | 120.673 | 2 | 60.337 | 23.838 | .000 |
Within Groups | 293.612 | 116 | 2.531 | ||
Total | 414.286 | 118 | |||
Session 3 | |||||
Between Groups | 144.297 | 2 | 72.149 | 64.792 | .000 |
Within Groups | 157.008 | 141 | 1.114 | ||
Total | 301.306 | 143 | |||
Session 4 | |||||
Between Groups | 196.671 | 2 | 98.336 | 71.158 | .000 |
Within Groups | 176.886 | 128 | 1.382 | ||
Total | 373.557 | 130 | |||
Session 5 | |||||
Between Groups | 280.647 | 2 | 140.324 | 74.855 | .000 |
Within Groups | 239.948 | 128 | 1.875 | ||
Total | 520.595 | 130 | |||
Session 6 | |||||
Between Groups | 265.247 | 2 | 132.624 | 54.044 | .000 |
Within Groups | 252.762 | 103 | 2.454 | ||
Total | 518.009 | 105 | |||
8th Grade, Individually | |||||
Between Groups | 3775.787 | 2 | 1887.894 | 100.762 | .000 |
Within Groups | 3185.138 | 170 | 18.736 | ||
Total | 6960.925 | 172 |