EFFECTIVENESS OF BOLTI KITABAIN SOFTWARE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS OF GRADE 4 LEARNERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR SCHOOLS OF LAHORE

Abstract

Reading comprehension is an important skill for academic achievement, however, some learners experience challenges when engaging with traditional textbook-based reading materials. The previous studies revealed that Pakistani ESL learners often find reading task very challenging, however, the increased exposure of students to the digital reading material may  help mitigate these challenges and improve communication skills. The current study aims to explore the effectiveness of Bolti Kitabain software on the reading comprehension skills of learners.This study employs Exploratory sequential Mixed-method reaserch design and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of cognitive development (1934). Sixty students constituted the sample that was randomly selected from Grade 4 learners in the private sector schools in Lahore, Pakistan and equally divided into control group and experimental group students, 30 students in each.There was four weeks intervention phase. The experimental group students received intervention through Bolti Kitabain software, while the control group students continued learning through traditional English textbooks. The quantitative data was based on pretest and posttest scores while the qualitative data was based on focus group discussions which were administered to six  English language teachers. The Quantitative data collected from the pretest and posttest scores of the students was analyzed using SPSS whereas the qualitative data was transcribed using Nvivo. The findings of the study revealed that Bolti Kitabain software remained an effective approach in improving the reading comprehension skills of the learners.