Technology is present in most of today’s US households in many forms, including computer games. There are few empirical studies available to help determine if time spent playing computer games helps in the cognitive development of children, specifically literacy skills.
The constructivist theory formulated by Jean Piaget tells us we learn by doing and several more recent authors claim that cognitive development is enhanced by learners who are actively engaged, challenged, and motivated by the use of computer games.
This study examines a group of first graders and their experience with web-based computer reading games as found on Starfall.com. The outcome of the study shows students are excited and motivated to learn to read, and can improve their ability to understand and use phonics by playing web-based computer games.
","abstract_html":"<p>Technology is present in most of today’s US households in many forms, including computer games. There are few empirical studies available to help determine if time spent playing computer games helps in the cognitive development of children, specifically literacy skills.</p> <p>The constructivist theory formulated by Jean Piaget tells us we learn by doing and several more recent authors claim that cognitive development is enhanced by learners who are actively engaged, challenged, and motivated by the use of computer games.</p> <p>This study examines a group of first graders and their experience with web-based computer reading games as found on Starfall.com. The outcome of the study shows students are excited and motivated to learn to read, and can improve their ability to understand and use phonics by playing web-based computer games.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Halsey, Kristin L."],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Science","degree_level":"Master's Thesis","degree_discipline":"Education","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2009,"date_issued":"2009-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2009-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:05:29Z","subjects":["Education"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://scholar.dominican.edu/education-print-theses/365","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Halsey, Kristin L."]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Education"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Master's Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Education"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://scholar.dominican.edu/education-print-theses/365"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Technology is present in most of today’s US households in many forms, including computer games. There are few empirical studies available to help determine if time spent playing computer games helps in the cognitive development of children, specifically literacy skills.
The constructivist theory formulated by Jean Piaget tells us we learn by doing and several more recent authors claim that cognitive development is enhanced by learners who are actively engaged, challenged, and motivated by the use of computer games.
This study examines a group of first graders and their experience with web-based computer reading games as found on Starfall.com. The outcome of the study shows students are excited and motivated to learn to read, and can improve their ability to understand and use phonics by playing web-based computer games.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["First Grade Students' Experience Using Web-Based Computer Games on Starfall.com to Improve Literacy Skills"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:creator":["Halsey, Kristin L."],"dc:description.abstract":["Technology is present in most of today’s US households in many forms, including computer games. There are few empirical studies available to help determine if time spent playing computer games helps in the cognitive development of children, specifically literacy skills.
The constructivist theory formulated by Jean Piaget tells us we learn by doing and several more recent authors claim that cognitive development is enhanced by learners who are actively engaged, challenged, and motivated by the use of computer games.
This study examines a group of first graders and their experience with web-based computer reading games as found on Starfall.com. The outcome of the study shows students are excited and motivated to learn to read, and can improve their ability to understand and use phonics by playing web-based computer games.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://scholar.dominican.edu/education-print-theses/365"],"dc:subject":["Education"],"dc:title":["First Grade Students' Experience Using Web-Based Computer Games on Starfall.com to Improve Literacy Skills"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Education"],"thesis:degree_level":["Master's Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:05:29Z"}