Development and Evaluation of a Web-Based Fun Reading English Resource for Primary Learners- an Executive Report

Abstract

This study aims to develop and evaluate a Web-based Fun Reading resource known as the English Primary Fun (EPFun). The Web-based resource helps young learners, especially in rural schools, who display a low level of interest in reading English language. Based on the research framework, a questionnaire was developed to measure: (i) usefulness; (ii) ease of use; (iii) ease of learning and (iv) the satisfaction level of primary learners working with the English Primary Fun resource. The expert reviews were sort to confirm the content validation of the questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha was employed to state the reliability of the instrument and the Rasch Model was for the overall reliability analysis. Data collected from 250 primary learners in Year 5 were tested with confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS 18.0 to obtain two best-fit measurement models from the two latent variables namely the Learner’s Fun Factors and the EPFun resource. The findings from the actual study confirmed that: (i) primary learners showed positive responses when acquiring a reading habit through the Web-based resource; (ii) teachers demonstrated a high level of agreement concerning the Web-based resource; (iii) experts agreed that the Web-based resource met the specifications set; (iv) 96% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the Web-based resource; (v) evidence for a three-factor measurement model, which are usefulness, ease of use and ease of learning for Web-based resource, hence, explaining the learners’ acceptance of the resource; vi) there is a significant relationship between the satisfaction level of primary learners and the Web-based resource. Subsequently, the gathered data from the evaluation phase was triangulated with semi-structured interviews, observations and open-ended questions to gain in-depth feedback after the respondents filled in the survey evaluation form. Based on the findings, the Web-based Fun Reading resource is expected to educate and engage the learners to read English meaningfully and promote various kinds of fun learning in and outside the classroom.