It's often said that reading aloud helps us better remember what we've read, but evidence in support of this theory is scarce. This project involves a simple, well-controlled scientific experiment to test and identify the effect of reading aloud on memorization skills.
Does reading aloud affect memory skills?
- Computer with Internet access
- Color printer
- Digital camera
- Typical office/hobby/hardware/craft supplies (paper, poster board, glue, etc.).
- Forty volunteers
- Carefully study the related literature (see bibliography below).
- Address all of the terms and research questions mentioned here.
- Search and print out interesting images relevant to your topic.
- Prepare a single list of 40 randomly chosen words, arranged in random order.
- Randomly divide volunteers into two equal-sized groups. Label them Group 1 and Group 2.
- Have Group 1 study the list quietly for 20 minutes.
- Have Group 2 study the list, reading the words aloud for 20 minutes. These volunteers must be tested individually, so as not to disturb each other when reading aloud.
- Ask each volunteer to recall as many words as possible from the list.
- Carefully record all results.
- Analyze your data.
- Prepare a detailed report.
- Include graphics, diagrams, lists and demonstrations in your science fair display.
Author: Judee Shipman
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