Marilyn Williams, University of Oregon (Advisor: Dr. Edward Kame'enui)

The focus of this study is on instructional resources using mobile technology for students with learning disabilities. The study will investigate the effectiveness of delivering explicit reading strategy instruction via the iPod/iTouch to sixth grade students in three English/Language Arts classrooms. This research is based on the assumption that most middle school students with learning disabilities can benefit from explicit instruction on strategies for reading comprehension (Biancarosa & Snow, 2004). In addition, these students often require more time on task in order to master new reading skills. Portable technologies such as the iTouch can help with both needs by allowing students to access reading assignments whenever and wherever is appropriate for them, and for as much time as they need. An additional benefit is that small portable devices such as the iTouch are socially acceptable tools and are widely used by middle school students.

Ninety sixth grade students in the participating middle school will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) a Control condition where students will read passages on the iTouch but not have any instructional support, (b) a Treatment I condition where students will read passages on the iTouch that include embedded reading strategy prompts and (c) a Treatment II condition where students will read passages on the iTouch that have embedded reading strategy prompts, but will also be able to hear the text and prompts spoken. The reading passages will be taken from the students' reading text, Pearson/Prentice Hall Literature. Students' reading comprehension progress will be monitored via a pre and post-test measure known as easyCBM. This is an online, standardized measure that compares student performance to grade-level performance goals. Pre and post tests will also be developed to assess differences in reading comprehension of specific passages. The intervention will be implemented for six to eight weeks.