The primary objective of this project is to improve students’ reading comprehension and motivation by combining evidence-based reading strategies with the power of digital game-based learning. Specifically, we aim to: - Strengthen students’ ability to understand complex texts across the curriculum, thereby reducing school failure and dropout risk. - Enhance reading motivation through an engaging online reading game, rooted in the close reading method—a structured approach proven to improve comprehension and critical thinking. - Support teachers by offering practical tools and opportunities for professional development focused on effective reading instruction. - Convince school leaders of the importance of investing in reading education as a whole-school priority, beyond language lessons alone. - Promote a school-wide reading culture in which all teachers, regardless of subject, recognize their role in developing students’ reading proficiency. By achieving these objectives, the project contributes to a more inclusive, motivating, and academically successful learning environment for all students.
Recent PISA results (OECD, 2023) show a decline in students' reading performance, underlining the urgent need to improve reading education. Reading is not just a language skill—it is essential for understanding content across all subjects and plays a key role in preventing school dropout (Snow & Biancarosa, 2003). To address this, schools should adopt a cross-curricular approach to reading. Methods like close reading—a structured way of analyzing complex texts—have proven effective in building comprehension and critical thinking skills (Fisher & Frey, 2014). Our project introduces an online reading game that combines close reading strategies with gamification to enhance students’ reading motivation, a crucial predictor of reading success (Guthrie & Wigfield, 2000). By making reading more engaging, we aim to improve literacy outcomes and support students in all areas of learning.