Word Game Bingo: A Behavioral Treatment Package for Improving Textual Responding to Sight Words

Abstract

Six third-grade students identified as deficient in reading skills tested the efficacy of word game bingo for acquisition and retention of sight word reading. The design was a modified multiple baseline in which treatment was implemented over 3 of 4 word sets and terminated on earlier sets when commencing treatment on later sets. Four sets of bingo cards were constructed on 7 X 9 cm paper divided into 25 equal-sized boxes. Sight words of each set were randomly placed into 24 of these boxes (the center box was marked "free"). Bingo winners were given tokens which were traded weekly for reinforcing activities. Noticeable improvements occurred for the word sets receiving the game treatment (sets A to C). Mean percentage points of improvement from baseline to treatment were approximately 30%. Terminal levels of correct responding exceeded 90%. Several variations of the game were suggested for future research and word game bingo was advocated as an effective behavioral technique or teachers to train sight word reading.

Learning Outcomes, Motivation, and Satisfaction in Gamified English Vocabulary Learning

“…The use of a serious game named ''Bingo'' was evidenced effective in sight word learning and reading (Kirby et al, 1981). A patented board serious game could meet participants' individual needs and improve the effectiveness of vocabulary acquisition (Burrowes, 2003).…”

Effects of stimulus disparity on acquisition of sight word sets: Manipulation of initial letter

“…However, the English language contains many phonemic irregularities and words that cannot be read phonetically (e.g., “know,” “the”). Thus, reading these words must come under stimulus control of the entire word (Kirby et al, 1981; Kupzyk et al, 2011). Teaching reading in which the functional unit is the entire word is referred to as sight word instruction .…”