2015 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Effects of SLTR method using handheld electronic reading devices
| Project/Area Number |
26770207
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| Research Institution | Sojo University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
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| Keywords | SLTR / dyslexia / electronic readers / L2 reading / oral reading fluency |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
During the fiscal year of 2015 the primary experiment of the project was successfully concluded on 117 subjects enrolled in English classes at Seizan Junior High School in Kumamoto City. Four classes of second year students completed eight treatment sessions during which reading rate and comprehension data was collected. Data entry efforts commenced in late February of 2016 and are ongoing at the time of writing.
During the past fiscal year, the principal investigator oversaw several important refinements to the diagnostic testing tools for detecting reading deficiencies in Japanese English language learners. Additionally, the website used to conduct the testing was updated to improve access and ease of use. Improvements were made to the audio recordings and explanatory videos based on user feedback.
The principal investigator disseminated insights and finding related to the research through four presentation at academic conferences throughout Japan. A paper related to the occurrence of dyslexia among Japanese English language learners was prepared and submitted to a major national publication (The Language Teacher) aimed at English language educators working in Japan. The paper is currently undergoing editorial review.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The primary experiment was conducted with a sufficient number of suitable subjects during the fiscal year of 2015. The data entry process is underway, and should conclude within the next two or three months. Analysis of the existing data will commence as soon as the data entry is complete.
There are, at present, no major technological problems related to the diagnostic testing tools or the testing website.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The principal investigator will oversee the entry process of the data collected during the primary experiment of fiscal year 2015. Once the data entry has concluded, the principal investigator will begin to analyse the data and prepare reports and presentations to disseminate the findings to both educators and the general public.
The principal investigator has initiated communication with a junior high school in Nagasaki prefecture. If an agreement can be reached, the primary experiment will be conducted a second time in fiscal year 2016. Data will be collected, entered and analysed in order to provide a more thorough evaluation of the effectiveness of the intervention.
The principal investigator will also attempt to further refine the diagnostic testing tools in order to enhance usability and reduce the influence of confounding variables.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Changes to the research design made it possible to conduct the project using fewer electronic devices (iPod Touch). Twenty devices were purchased instead of thirty. Moodle maintenance and plug-in upgrade costs were not incurred during fiscal year 2015 because the researcher elected to continue using an older version of the software.
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| Expenditure Plan for Carryover Budget |
Leftover funds from fiscal year 2015 will be directed toward hiring student assistants to perform data entry tasks related to the research. Additionally, at least one electronic device (iPod Touch) and several electronic timers were damaged during the course of the project. Replacements will be purchased if a second iteration of the primary research project can be arranged.
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| Remarks |
The Read Assist site is used for diagnostic testing related to the research project. Participants are provided with login information and requested to complete tests to determine oral reading fluency.
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Research Products
(5 results)
