Effectiveness of the computerized tool EPI.com to enhance comprehension and expression in students aged 3 to 6 // Eficacia del programa informatizado EPI.com para la mejora de la comprensión y expresión de estudiantes de entre 3 y 6 años

Abstract

The acquisition of comprehension and expression abilities is a key issue in learning processes, particularly due to the difficulties students may come across. The computerized tool EPI.com is based on an adaptation of Hypertext to Early Childhood Education, aiming at an improvement in lexical, semantic and syntactic processes. This piece of work aims at analyzing the effectiveness of EPI.com in improving psycholinguistic and verbal aspects in a global way and depending on age. A total of 155 students (aged 3-6) participated, divided into an Experimental Group (EG; 93 students who worked with EPI.com) and a Control Group (CG; 62 students who followed the traditional methodology). They were all evaluated by means of the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities and the Peabody test. Results show the effectiveness of the strategy used with the EG, with statistically significant scores in psycholinguistic factors if compared to those in the CG. Three-year olds were those obtaining grater benefits. It is concluded in this study that EPI.com is effective in the improvement of psycholinguistic abilities in the sample used.