Graduate Research Papers

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Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory, descriptive case study is to determine how student reading motivation and format choices may be impacted if teachers give students the freedom of choice in selecting the title of the book they read for class and lessons about using different formats of books. This study includes data collected in 3 classrooms (School A had 2 high school seniors, School B had 40 high school freshmen, and School C had 28 sixth graders).

Data was collected using one closed and open-ended student questionnaire, given both before and after giving students book talk lessons, and participant observation field notes. Prior to instruction, School A found that 2 (100%) students were most comfortable and familiar with traditional print chapter books in prose. After instruction, this remained true; however, both students indicated that they were more open to trying other digital and print formats. Prior to instruction, School B found that 18 (45%) students were comfortable and familiar with traditional print chapter books in prose. After instruction, this number increased to 25 (63%) students. Additionally, 3 (8%) students were open to branching out and trying other digital and print formats, which was an increase of 3 (8%) students after having been encouraged by teachers and explicitly instructed on how to do so. A need for more variety in book format and more instruction on how to locate attention-grabbing audiobooks was noted by the researcher for School B. Twenty-two (55%) students who considered themselves “poor” or “ok” readers, preferred graphic novels or audiobooks for easy comprehension, but only 15 graphic novels were available to them and 8 (20%) students reported they struggled to find audiobooks with strong narration to keep their attention. Prior to instruction, School C learned that 24 students (85%) viewed printed chapter books as their preferred book format when self-selecting. After instruction, this number decreased to 19 students (67%) as 2 students changed their preference to audiobooks and 1 student preferred eBooks more. Considering these findings, the researchers discovered two main themes: 1) Students preferred a diverse variety of book formats when self-selecting independent reading material. Student reading preferences were often related to their learning or reading style and book format preference and 2) Educators should provide frequent literacy instruction for students to ensure they have a basic understanding on how to find and self-select from a variety of formats to help students find audiobooks and ebooks.

Year of Submission

2024

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Department

Division of School Library Studies

First Advisor

Karla Krueger

Date Original

5-2024

Object Description

1 PDF (43 pages)

Language

en

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