Funding

Digging Reading, a three-year research and development project that includes an eight-month pre/post evaluation study, will be completed in August 2007. This project is supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, through Grant #R305S050072 to Seward Inc. The opinions expressed do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Education.

Producers

Digging Reading was produced by Seward Inc. in consultation with Michael F. Graves, Ph.D.

Seward Inc. provides high-quality, ROI-based e-learning and e-business solutions to educational institutions, businesses, professional organizations, and government agencies, nationally and internationally. Seward Inc. is nationally recognized for quality instruction. To learn more about Seward, visit our site at http://www.sewardinc.com or email us.

Michael Graves is a Professor of Literacy Education Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, serves on the advisory board for the Center for Reading Research at the University, and is a member of the Reading Hall of Fame. Dr. Graves has developed his expertise in a reading comprehension instruction over his 40-year career as a teacher, researcher and author.

Hear Dr. Graves:

• Define reading comprehension strategies (1.66 MB Flash movie)
• Explain why reading comprehension strategies are important (1.47 MB Flash movie)

Evaluation

Various techniques are being used to gather data on the usability and efficacy of the instructional interventions, both with the teachers and the students. Measures include observations and interviews of teachers using Digging Reading in their classrooms, pre- and post-test scores on experimenter-developed tests on reading comprehension strategies, and pre- and post-test scores from the reading subtest of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment, a comprehensive performance assessment taken by all Minnesota students. Together, these measures will provide information on the usability, appeal, and efficacy of the DVD-ROM and the printed materials.