Advisers

Romeo L. Fernandez, EdD

Discipline

Education

Abstract

Reading comprehension is a fundamental skill that plays a crucial role in both academic success and personal development (Smith et al., 2023). However, many students struggle to comprehend complex texts, which can hinder their overall learning and achievement. To address this challenge, educators and researchers have increasingly turned to technology-assisted tools and innovative strategies. One such approach involves the use of mystery stories, which can significantly enhance reading comprehension by providing engaging and enjoyable material that motivates students to tackle more complex texts. Mystery narratives encourage critical thinking, inferential reasoning, and analytical skills through interactive exercises and activities. This workbook is designed to bridge the gap between decoding and fluency, while emphasizing the essential aspect of comprehension. The study used a quasi-experimental design. Participants included fifty (50) Grade 11 HUMSS students from Bestlink College of the Philippines during the academic year 2023–2024. The primary aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the Mystbook in enhancing students’ reading skills, specifically in the areas of reading speed, fluency, and vocabulary. The results of the study reveal that the majority of respondents were female and between 15–17 years old. The use of Mystbook was rated as “neutral” in enhancing reading speed and fluency, while vocabulary improvement received an “agree” rating. Respondents’ challenges in answering the story’s guided questions were also rated “neutral.” In conclusion, Mystbook significantly improves the reading speed, fluency, and vocabulary skills of Grade 11 HUMSS students. Despite challenges related to pronunciation, repetition, and unfamiliar vocabulary, the tool effectively enhances overall comprehension, making it a valuable educational resource for improving reading comprehension. The standardized Mystbook tool supports educators in monitoring and assessing students’ reading comprehension progress. By enabling learners to evaluate themselves regardless of their current fluency, vocabulary, or comprehension level, it provides a clear pathway for skill improvement. For enhanced learning outcomes and greater consistency in reading instruction across grade levels and subject areas, school administrators may consider adopting Mystbook as part of their instructional framework.

Keywords

reading comprehension, mystbook tool, mystery stories, mystbook enhancing