An action research study on designing multimedia focused reading classes

In the developing world the technology is integrated inevitably to every field of life. Its effects can clearly be seen in educational life. To make use of it in language learning, it is needed to be integrated to the classrooms very effectively. In this respect this study aims to present how to design multimedia focused reading classes to improve students' reading comprehension. To achieve this, a 5-week lesson plan was designed to provide multimedia tools in reading classes. The study was hold with an intermediate level class as an action research at the preparatory school of Hasan KALYONCU university. The key aim is to find the answers for research questions which are (1) how can I design multimedia focused reading classes and (2) what are the students' reflections on using multimedia tools in reading classes? Regarding these questions, three different data tools were used, so the teacher and 20 students kept weekly diaries right after the reading classes for 5 weeks. In addition, at the end of the term, an interview was conducted with 10 students to obtain more data. As it was a qualitative study, the findings from the data tools were analyzed by content analysis. The findings indicated that using multimedia tools in reading classes was quite effective. Also students reflected in a very positive way about the multimedia tools in terms of increasing their reading comprehension, motivation, and improving their vocabulary and general knowledge. Teacher diaries reflected that there may be a need to make some changes in using the multimedia tools.