Students boosting reading skills in digital reader-buddy program

As hard copy books are increasingly being replaced by online libraries and e-books, hundreds of primary and early secondary school students across Australia are joining a digital trial of The Smith Family’s long-running student2student reading program.

The trial, now in its third year, is providing strong results with 98 percent of participants who complete the program improving their reading, and 58 percent increasing their reading age by more than six months.

student2student was developed by The Smith Family to boost the reading skills and confidence of children in disadvantaged communities who can be up to four years behind their more advantaged peers.

Student readers from Years 3 to 8 are paired with a trained student buddy, up to two years older, who listens to their reading, two to three times per week for 18 weeks. The traditional model has involved students reading over the phone, with books appropriate to the student’s reading level provided by The Smith Family.

Head of Policy and Programs, Wendy Field, said: “The Smith Family developed student2student digital recognising that tablets and smart phones are increasingly and rapidly replacing hard copy books.

“We’re now in a world where students are accustomed to using technology on a daily basis, at home and at school. So we began the student2student digital trial in 2014 and we are encouraged by the results.”

Ms Field said despite the appeal of the digital model there were a number of challenges in transitioning fully to student2student digital for disadvantaged students.

“Research shows that one-third of disadvantaged families don’t have access to technology and the internet,” Ms Field said. “We also know that many of these families need to be supported to build their skills and confidence around using these resources.

“The Smith Family is currently exploring ways to ensure that the young people and families we are supporting will be able to have the access to the technology needed for them to participate in student2student digital.”

student2student has been continually evolving with changes in technology. The original program began solely using landlines, and now many students are accessing the program through mobile phones and talk time donated and powered by Optus – a major corporate partner of The Smith Family.

Now students can access a digital version via online service Chatty Kids. The service provides reader and buddy with instant access to a library of e-books, read-along-videos, a shared screen, and voice-calling capabilities.

More than 150 disadvantaged students have participated in the digital trial so far, with another 280 students taking part this year.

“We know that one in 10 students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 from disadvantaged backgrounds do not meet national minimum reading standards and this gap in essential language and literacy skills affects their ability to fully participate in their education,” Ms Field said.

“student2student improves a student’s reading abilities and their enjoyment of books because it addresses the two crucial factors in becoming a better reader: practice and motivation.

“A significant benefit of our digital model is that participants can have instant access to a greater range of books. We’re not only teaching children how to read, but also how to enjoy reading.

“This is why we are urging the Australian public to support our current Winter Appeal, which will fund crucial learning support programs, like student2student, for disadvantaged students in Terms 3 and 4.

“We still need to raise more than $2.1 million to meet our target of $3.65 million by 30 June. Without the ongoing generosity of the community, thousands of young people will miss out on valuable opportunities that could mean the difference between them staying engaged at school, or falling further behind.”

Anyone wishing to donate to The Smith Family’s Winter Appeal can phone 1800 024 069.

*Learn more about Chatty Kids at chattykids.com