The Use of New Technologies for Improving Reading Comprehension

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Clinical Linguistics
• Rehabilitation Technology

Background:

• Reading comprehension is fundamental for academic success and adult life participation.
• Digital technologies offer new avenues for remote educational and clinical support.
• Limited research exists on distance-based rehabilitation programs for reading comprehension difficulties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a distance-based program, Cloze, for improving language and reading comprehension.
• To assess the feasibility of remote, individualized interventions for children with reading comprehension challenges.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-eight children (3rd-6th grade) with comprehension difficulties participated.
• Children engaged in the Cloze program remotely for 15-20 minutes, at least three times weekly for four months.
• The program featured individualized difficulty levels tailored to each child's needs.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in text reading comprehension were observed post-intervention.
• Comprehension gains were noted for both narrative and informative text types.
• The program demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing reading skills through remote delivery.

Conclusions:

• Individualized, distance-based programs can effectively improve reading comprehension in children.
• Remote interventions eliminate the need for travel to rehabilitation centers, increasing accessibility.
• The Cloze program presents a clinically and educationally valuable tool for supporting reading development.