Swipe, Tap, and Read: Research on E-book Tools, Features, and Student Engagement

Abstract

This study explores the digital tools and features that students had access to and interacted with while reading e-books on Raz-Kids. The goal was to use this information to understand how e-book reading impacted student motivation and engagement. This study was conducted for five weeks, and implemented three days per week with two first grade classes during Daily 5 or Reading Centers. I collected qualitative data by conducting a student survey, documenting the e-books that the student participants read and the digital tools and features that they used, recording field note observations, and conducting audio-recorded interviews with the student participants. Findings were derived from the research. The findings were a) the impact of Raz-Kids on reading engagement; b) first graders’ knowledge of e-book tools and features using Raz-Kids; and c) first graders’ access to and interaction with e-books outside of the classroom. Conclusions of this research study include that a) student reading experience is influenced by the Raz-Kids star system; b) the quantity of e-book tools lead to exploration; and c) the quality of e-book features impact student reading engagement.