The effectiveness of instructional software in reading comprehension skills and reading aloud of Omani fourth basic schools’ students

This paper aims to describe the findings of a national research project which sought to evaluate the design and application of purpose built software for teaching reading in Arabic in the First Cycle of Basic Education (Grades 1–4) in Oman. Funded by his Majesty the Sultan of Oman’s Grant for Strategic Research, an experimental methodology was used to investigate the effectiveness of e-learning on Grade 4 student outcomes in comprehension and reading aloud. The sample consisted of four fourth-class students’ groups with 52 students for two experimental groups and 53 students for two control groups. A pre- and post-test was designed, reviewed and conducted. The research findings prove the effectiveness of the software on the students’ achievement in reading comprehension; and that the students’ attitudes towards the use of software in learning Arabic are positive. The research discusses these findings, suggests recommendations, and future steps.