Using Google ‘Read Along’ Mobile Application in Classrooms to Develop Hindi Language Skills in Young Readers

The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 reveals that 26.5% students in the age group of 14–18 years in rural India are unable to read a class 2-level textbook in their regional language and 42.7% could not read sentences in English. Even among those who could read, 26.5% did not comprehend it. It also found that 89% of these students have a smartphone and 92% know how to use one [1]. There have been several technology-based attempts to address this foundational reading challenge through the increased access and exposure to smartphones. This research was conducted to study the effectiveness of one such mobile application called ‘Read Along’ by Google as a tool for teachers to develop Hindi reading skills among students in the age group of 5–10 years. 36 classroom activities around the App. Were conducted with one Government school’s Hindi language teacher and 25 students in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan from November 2019 to February 2020. Endline assessment using the ASER reading tool showed a two-level improvement in one student and a one-level improvement in 7 students after using the app for three months. The App. Usage declined for students who were in the ‘story+’ level in the baseline because it became repetitive and monotonous. The teacher played an important role in facilitating learning through the app. With its usage declining during winter break when no inputs were provided by the teacher and no activities were conducted using the app.