Reading and Accessing eBooks
Research on Independent Reading and Accessing eBooks during Lock-down
In my capacity as literacy specialist at MGC, I wanted to take the opportunity to pass on some resources that are likely to benefit all students in Years 7 to 10.Attached is a PowerPoint which identifies research affirming the central importance of independent reading to students’ success as learners. This has been shared with Year 7 and 8 students during class and applies equally to Years 9 and 10. A summary of this research:
- independent reading leads to greater reading achievement
- students should aim to read independently for 40+ minutes a day
- independent reading is the best way to build higher-order thinking skills
- no other literacy activity will do more than independent reading to raise achievement in comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and writing.
- high-achieving students spend much more time reading than their lower-achieving counterparts.
- the best predictor of a student's vocabulary size is based on the amount of time they spend reading, and vocabulary knowledge is one of the best predictors of student success in school.
During the remote learning period, students may have difficulty accessing print books. Here are some great sites where they can access eBooks and audio books:
- MGC Library eBooks – Go to the ‘ePlatform’ logo at this page. We have excellent resources! https://learn.mgc.vic.edu.au/students/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/SitePages/Library.aspx
- Wheelers Ebooks/Audiobooks: https://mgc.wheelers.co/ (Please see the attached document for help on accessing this resource)
- Amazon’s Audible Stories Audiobooks: https://stories.audible.com/start-listen?ref=adbl_ent_anon_ds_hm_hb
- Project Gutenberg Free Classic Titles: https://www.gutenberg.org/
- Rivited Publishing Free YA titles: https://rivetedlit.com/free-reads/
If you seek any further advice about students’ independent reading or where to get hold of titles, please email myself or Beth Barrass. We’re happy to offer help as needed.
Dr Paul Carter (paul.carter@mgc.vic.edu.au)
Literacy Specialist
Melbourne Girls’ College
Beth Barrass (beth.barrass@mgc.vic.edu.au)
Library Assistant
Melbourne Girls’ College