CHAPTER I

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Introduction

From a very young age, children are increasingly using digital media (Kucirkova,

2019). The infusion of technology in American society has caused rapid changes in

educational environments. Internet access has infiltrated classrooms across the country,

and researchers have begun to look at how technology has changed the way student’s

access information (Hess, 2014). Kucirkova (2019) states, "This phenomenon, coupled

with the undisputable benefits of children. Reading print books, makes it imperative to

identify the benefits and limits of children's digital books." Using technology in the

classroom to improve students' reading abilities is something that continues to be

questioned. This is due to the fact of the many platforms. Thee aspects of reading are

really improving through the use of technology rather than being teacher taught. The

findings of studies on the topic arrive at mixed results, with researchers following

different theoretical and methodological approaches and reaching different conclusions,

as highlighted in two recent literature reviews (Kucirkova, 2019, Reich, Yau, &

Warschauer, 2016).

Reading is essential to one’s success in the varied industries of society. The

ability to read is highly valued and important for social and economic advancement. Most

children learn to read fairly well. In the Philippines, teachers are most concerned with the

large number of children who may be imperiled in their career path or social
opportunities because they have less than the sufficient reading skills that are required to

meet the demands of an increasingly competitive economy. Current difficulties in reading

are largely indicated by the rising demands for literacy. In a technological society, the

demands for higher literacy are ever increasing, creating more grievous consequences for

those who fall short (Fountas and Pinnell: 2008)

Reading fluency is the ability to read smoothly, easily, and quickly. Good readers

can read words automatically without having to sound out each syllable (also known as

decoding). In other words, you don’t have to spend a lot of effort and attention on the

mechanics of reading. Reading becomes easy. Word recognition becomes easy. (May 30,

2023. Bonnie Terry)

Reading fluency is the ability to read with proper speed, accuracy, and expression.

Children, and people in general, must be able to read fluently in order to understand what

they’re reading. This applies to both silent reading and reading out loud. When doing the

latter, fluent readers are able to read phrases and add in proper intonation when needed.

As such, their reading becomes smooth and expressive. Medically Reviewed by Jabeen

Begum, MD on August 25, 2022 by Amber Felton.

Reading Fluency encompasses accuracy, the speed or rate of reading, and the

ability to read materials with expression and comprehension. Some definitions of reading

fluency focus more on decoding and speed, whereas others emphasize the role of

comprehension. Meyer and Felton (1999) defined fluency as “…the ability to read

connected text rapidly, smoothly, effortlessly, and automatically with little conscious

attention to the mechanics of reading, such as decoding” (p. 284). Pikulski and Chard

2
(2005) provided a broader definition; they note that efficient, effective word recognition

skills permit a reader to construct the meaning of text, read with expression, and

comprehend text while reading silently. Thus, how fluently one reads is a strong predictor

of comprehension (Chard, Vaughn, & Tyler, 2002).

Reading comprehension is, indeed, a complex cognitive ability which involves

not only linguistic (e.g., vocabulary, grammatical knowledge), but also cognitive (such as

working memory, De Beni and Palladino, 2000), and metacognitive skills (both for the

aspects of knowledge and control, Channa et al., 2015), and, more specifically, higher

order comprehension skills such as the generation of inferences (Oakhill et al., 2003).

Reading is one of the four skills which needs to be learned besides listening,

speaking, and writing. Reading has the considerable role in the language teaching to

strengthen the skills which are acquired by the students in listening, speaking, and writing

(Maxom, 2009: 139). Reading skill affects the other skills learning process. Besides, the

students have to be able to achieve reading competencies as urged by the national

curriculum.

This study will be conducted to help students to be more exposed to technology-

based to enhance their reading comprehension when it comes to the use of technology,

because nowadays many people especially the students, depend their lives in technology.

Since some of them can read but there is no comprehension and at their age there are also

engaged on technology-based

3
Statement of the Problem

This research aims to determine the effectiveness of technology-based reading

program in the reading fluency of English 8. Specifically, this study seeks answer to the

following questions:

1. What is the level of reading fluency of English 8 who are not exposed to technology-

based reading program in?

2. What is the level of reading fluency of English 8 who are exposed to technology-based

reading program?

3. Is there a significant difference on the level of fluency of English 8 who were exposed

to technology and those who are not?

Hypothesis

There is no significant difference on the level of reading fluency of English 8

who were expose to technology-based reading program.

Objective of the Study

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of technology based reading

program in reading fluency of English 8. The objectives of the study are:

4
1. Determine the level of reading fluency of English 8 who are not exposed to

technology-based reading program in?

2. Determine the level of reading fluency of English 8 who are exposed to technology-

based reading program in week two.

3. Determine if there is a significant difference on the level of fluency of English 8 who

were exposed to technology and those who are not?

Significance of the Study

The study will focus on determining effectiveness of technology based reading

program in reading fluency of English 8. Moreover, the result of the study will be

beneficial to the following:

STUDENTS. This research can improve reading skills of English 8. Engaging in reading

program can help students enhance their reading abilities including fluency,

comprehension and vocabulary.

TEACHERS. This research will help the teachers because their work in teaching reading

will be easier with the help of this research paper. Specially in knowing the reading

fluency of English 8 students.

PARENTS. The parents will not suffer to teach their children because this study will

help their children to improve their reading skills.