Learning to read in culturally responsive computer environments (No. CIERA Report #1-004). Anna Arbor, MI: Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement

Can culturally responsive software programs motivate reluctant beginning readers? Can culturally defined oral language skills possessed by African-American children serve as effective bridges to developing early literacy skills? This report is a description and evaluation of two computer-based learning environments, Rappin ’ Reader and Say Say Oh Playmate, that build upon the lived literacy experiences African-American children bring to classrooms as scaffolds for early literacy instruction. When Rappin ’ Reader and Say Say Oh Playmate were used with low-socioeconomic-status African-American first to fourth graders attending after school tutoring/mentoring programs, students made substantial gains on literacy measures such as sight word knowledge. The results suggest at least modest benefits from using culturally responsive reading materials and a computer-based learning environment in literacy instruction