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This is why it\u2019s crucial to include reading in our everyday lives in all stages of childhood: when children are provided with enjoyable texts and related activities, reading will be seen as a treat, not a chore.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”highlight-box”][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text el_class=”b16strong_black” css=”.vc_custom_1627634511520{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”]As the popularity of digital devices grows, the impact of new technological media on the young population is indisputable. Available sources of media content have multiplied and the range of mass media “storytellers” has expanded, which affect young children\u2019s reading habits, and the way they listen to stories.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kids read less than ever before.<\/strong> Therefore, studies have shown that they are likely to have more text interpretation and reading comprehension problems. It is the creators\u2019, publishers\u2019, developers\u2019, researchers\u2019, and education experts\u2019 responsibility to identify and develop new potential <\/span>21st century educational strategies<\/b> that support better reading education.<\/span><\/p>\n BOOKR Kids’ reading apps help achieve this goal by presenting storybooks in a new, more engaging format while also building on contemporary children’s literature and illustration trends.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”highlight-box”][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text el_class=”b16strong_blue” css=”.vc_custom_1627634471017{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”]As BOOKR Kids\u2019 digital e-books can be used in both traditional and alternative learning environments, they are perfect for preserving the well-established and building new reading and storytelling traditions.\u00a0<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Interactive e-books facilitate the connection between the reader and the story, which results in a deeper and more profound experience. Displaying stories with still and moving images, BOOKR apps aim to<\/span> teach reading and inspire even the youngest <\/b>users to learn different types and levels of both verbal and visual language.<\/b>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3803″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]BOOKR is designed <\/span>for teachers by teachers<\/b>. To help children reach their full potential, BOOKR follows a methodology proven effective through research.<\/strong> We design the texts and activities to be used both for individual use or instructed learning in a classroom setting or beyond.\u00a0 Besides the text itself and the narration, the illustrations and animations support the understanding of the texts, but they don\u2019t distract the readers from it.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”highlight-box”][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text el_class=”b16strong_blue” css=”.vc_custom_1627634482433{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”]This combination of reliable and quality scaffolding is a great advantage, especially for learners who need more help or require more assistance in the cognitive processes. The educational games at the end of each story allow further improvement, for example with comprehension checks and the practice of linguistic elements in a focused, yet entertaining way.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Empirical research <\/b>conducted in 2019 by the Ministry of Education in Hungary in partnership with E\u00f6tv\u00f6s Lor\u00e1nd University, University of Szeged, and Corvinus University has shown that BOOKR Kids’ interactive books that offer new language, visual, communication and performative qualities,<\/strong> among others, can sustain the attention of the recipient in the long run and can be successfully incorporated into the process of child-rearing, education, and self-improvement. <\/span><\/p>\n The studies were conducted with kindergarten-aged children with average abilities and hard of hearing children and their educators who mediated the tales.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner el_id=”results”][vc_column_inner] Understanding images and connecting them to words that we hear helps the development of comprehension as well as language-production skills. Therefore, to facilitate the development of our readers, the provision of<\/span> high-quality input<\/b> is one of our major concerns.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”highlight-box”][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text el_class=”b16strong_blue” css=”.vc_custom_1627634444628{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”]A good illustration not only establishes the atmosphere of a story and depicts the topic but also makes the characters come alive, thus laying the foundations for contextual, organic and incidental learning. The aim of illustrations at more basic levels is to facilitate comprehension, e.g. the reader can grasp the context of the story more easily.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At these levels, illustrations are designed according to a concept-based approach. The characters have distinctive features which are often symbolic and composed of larger, contrasting elements. As the skills of the learners develop, the graphics become richer, more detailed, more complex and sometimes even metaphoric. <\/span><\/p>\n These features are in line with the descriptive features of the literature illustrated besides offering authentic cultural and historical depictions.<\/strong><\/p>\n Our young and talented illustrators were raised on traditional illustrations while with their modern approach they are part of the contemporary graphic world. They are able to attract the young generation while respecting the well-established principles of illustrating.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text] The animation is synchronized with the narration, therefore facilitates understanding due to their close temporal contiguity.<\/strong> The presence of the animation, the text and its narration rely on the theory of dual coding – comprehension occurs more easily than with one single input and some kind of decoration. Zooming highlights the main elements mentioned in the narration which helps in the <\/span>identification process<\/b>. It draws the readers\u2019 attention and helps make sense of the text.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text] Text highlighting can be turned off in case the division of sentences is disturbing or unnecessary. <\/strong>[\/vc_column_text] Grammar- and vocabulary-focused games<\/b> provide practice of specific topics and structures, but there are activities that support the improvement of communicative skills, pronunciation, logic and a wide variety of other 21st century soft and cognitive skills, as well.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text] The linguistic needs were established based on the linguistic proficiency levels <\/strong>of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), but other aspects (for example Lexile Measure) and classroom experiences were also taken into account.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”10378″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”]Results:<\/h2>\n
BOOKR Class platform concept<\/h2>\n[vc_column_text]Storytelling for kids in English is more important than ever, which is why we at BOOKR Kids have created the new generation of graded readers. BOOKR Class is the ultimate tool to teach and improve English language learning: an easy-to-use <\/span>gamified library application<\/b> for students, coupled with a <\/span>teacher\u2019s dashboard <\/b>displaying real-time statistics. <\/span>The following paragraphs will present the most important features of the BOOKR solution.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text]
3-in-1 solution<\/h3>\n
BOOKR Class Library App for Students<\/h4>\n
Online Teacher\u2019s Dashboard for Teachers<\/h4>\n[vc_column_text]where teachers can<\/span>[\/vc_column_text]
BOOKR Classroom App<\/h4>\n
Multimedia Features of the Interactive Books<\/h2>\n[vc_single_image image=”3804″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”]
Illustration<\/h3>\n[vc_column_text]BOOKR is aware that vision is our most important sense, particularly in one\u2019s childhood, and that the skill of \u201creading\u201d pictures develops from the very beginning of our lives. <\/span><\/p>\n
Animation and Zooming<\/h3>\n[vc_column_text]The movement of some of the images in our interactive books catches the eye of the reader and develops comprehension skills without drawing too much attention away from the linguistic features of the story. There is <\/span>a great balance between entertainment and scaffolding<\/b>, meaning that the illustration, animation and sound effects make the book more engaging and more easily comprehensible at the same time. <\/span><\/p>\n
Narration<\/h3>\n[vc_column_text]Narration by professional voice-over artists facilitates the improvement of <\/span>oral language comprehension skills <\/b>and the<\/span> acquisition of <\/b>pronunciation.<\/b> The presentation of different accents, especially in the books which are about a particular area or country help – improve listening skills and intercultural communicative skills. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text]
Text Highlighting<\/h3>\n[vc_column_text]ext highlighting draws the reader\u2019s attention to the expressions and clauses being read and helps the reader follow along at the same pace as the narrator. The highlighting helps the understanding of sentences as it divides the longer structures into more comprehensible units. <\/span><\/p>\n
Educational Games<\/h3>\n[vc_column_text]The accompanying age-relevant and fun-to-do games are created by teachers with a playful layout and encouraging feedback to motivate learners. Besides <\/span>global comprehension checks<\/b>, many activities are included to improve reading for specific information and games to make sure students understand stylistically different elements. <\/span><\/p>\n
Interactive Features<\/h3>\n
Supporting Materials for Teachers<\/h3>\n
The Curriculum of BOOKR Class<\/h3>\n
Leveling<\/h3>\n[vc_column_text]The online library is divided into six proficiency levels which are adapted to specific age groups. Therefore, each category is based on the interests and <\/span>preferences of the given age group as well as their needs as language learners.<\/span><\/p>\n
Additional pedagogical-methodological elements<\/h3>\n