National Adult Literacy Database

This report describes research designed to explore the effectiveness of the ABRACADABRA (ABRA) web-based literacy system. The project involved more than 400 students in kindergarten to Grade 2 in classrooms in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.

Analysis of the findings showed that the ABRA system as used by teachers had significant effects on children’s sight word reading and awareness of the structure of language. There were also discernible but non-significant effects on the children’s knowledge of letters.

The authors point out that most previous research on the impact of educational technology has focused on single commercially available CD/video packages. The more dynamic web-based technologies that are readily available, free to all users, could have a profound impact on literacy practice across Canada.