Technology Utilization in Improving Learners' Reading Fluency Skills

Abstract: Technology is pivotal in enhancing learners' reading fluency skills in the evolving education landscape. With the integration of digital tools, adaptive learning platforms, and interactive reading applications, educators can create personalized and engaging literacy experiences tailored to individual student needs. This study explored the extent of technology utilization in improving the learners' reading fluency skills in a cluster of a medium-sized school’s division in central Philippines for the School Year 2024-2025 as the basis for an enhanced reading program. The study employed a descriptive-quantitative research design and used a researcher-made questionnaire for data gathering from 103 public elementary school teachers. The independent variables included were age, highest educational attainment, length of service, and number of relevant trainings attended. The areas of concentration included online reading fluency exercises, participatory learning, and virtual formative assessments. The statistical tools used were frequency count, percentage distribution, mean, and the Mann-Whitney U Test. The respondents' profile slightly leaned toward younger individuals, higher educational attainment, longer service duration, and greater training exposure. Secondly, the technology utilization in enhancing learners’ reading fluency skills in online reading fluency exercises, participatory learning, and virtual formative assessments is to a high extent. The technology utilization in enhancing learners’ reading fluency skills when grouped according to the aforementioned variables is high. Finally, there is no significant difference in the extent of technology utilization in enhancing learners’ reading fluency skills when grouped and compared according to the aforementioned variables. Various recommendations, such as expanding digital scaffolding, increasing motivation for repeated reading, and enhancing adaptive learning approaches, were provided: personalized reading levels based on fluency metrics can support differentiated instruction. Keywords: Technology utilization, Learners’ reading fluency skills, Adaptive learning platforms, Interactive Reading Applications