Master’s Thesis

This research investigated the impact of platform and interactivity on preschoolers’ learning from simple story books. Children (3-5 years) listened to or interacted with one of four original books varying in platform and interactivity (print-noninteractive, print-interactive, electronic-noninteractive, electronic-interactive) and were tested for novel word learning and story comprehension. In Study 1 (N = 82), eBooks supported word learning (especially among older children), and interactivity hindered story comprehension (especially among younger children). In Study 2 (N = 122), children who watched an adult use an interactive book exhibited comparable learning to children who listened to a non-interactive book in Study 1. These results underscore the importance of considering platform, interactivity, and context when examining children’s learning from stories.

Full manuscript coming soon!

Etta, R. A., Kirkorian, H. L. (submitted). Preschoolers’ learning from children’s books: Effects of platform and interactivity.