Design of an educational application for early literacy oriented toward motivation in first grade of elementary education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70577/asce.v5i1.736

Keywords:

Early Literacy; Academic Motivation; Educational Psychology; Educational Technology; Primary Education; Instructional Design.

Abstract

Early literacy extends beyond technical decoding, as it constitutes a complex educational process that requires sustained cognitive and emotional engagement. Despite the proliferation of digital tools, many current proposals prioritize visual appeal or mechanical practice, overlooking the psychological foundations underlying academic persistence. Literacy motivation is defined as the driving force that sustains students’ effort and self-regulation.

The objective of this article is to provide a theoretical foundation for the design of Leetrix, an educational application aimed at strengthening learning engagement in first-grade primary education. Through a qualitative theoretical–methodological approach, the conceptual and structural development of the digital prototype is systematized. The proposal is grounded in a rigorous review of the literature to define the structural and interactional principles of the tool.

As a result, a design model is presented that articulates a progressive linguistic sequence with Self-Determination Theory, employing an Objective–Evidence–Task alignment matrix (OET) to ensure internal pedagogical coherence. This work frames technology not as an end in itself, but as an instructional mediator that prioritizes mastery-oriented goals over extrinsic rewards. In doing so, it establishes the methodological basis for future empirical research aimed at evaluating the model’s impact on early written language acquisition and self-determined motivation.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Bai, S., Hew, K. F., & Huang, B. (2020). Does gamification improve student learning outcome? Evidence from a meta-analysis and synthesis of qualitative data in educational contexts. Educational Research Review, 30, 100322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100322 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100322

Bardach, L. & Murayama K. (2024). The role of rewards in motivation — Beyond dichotomies. Learning and instruction. 96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2024.102056 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2024.102056

CAST. (2018). Universal Design for Learning guidelines version 2.2. http://udlguidelines.cast.org

Castles, A., Rastle, K., & Nation, K. (2018). Ending the reading wars: Reading acquisition from novice to expert. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 19(1), 5–51. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100618772271 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100618772271

Dahl, A., Eriksen, T., & Solheim, O. J. (2024). Digital tools and early literacy: A systematic review of classroom-based interventions. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12934 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12934

Deterding, S., Dixon, D., Khaled, R., & Nacke, L. (2011). From game design elements to gamefulness: Defining “gamification”. Proceedings of the 15th International Academic MindTrek Conference, 9–15. https://doi.org/10.1145/2181037.2181040 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/2181037.2181040

Dietrichson J., Filges T., Klokker R., Viinholt B., Bøg M. & Jensen U. (2020). Targeted school-based interventions for improving reading and mathematics for students with, or at risk of, academic difficulties in Grades 7-12: A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews. 16(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1081 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1081

Ehri, L. C. (2020). The science of learning to read words: A case for systematic phonics instruction. Reading Research Quarterly, 55(S1), S45–S60. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.334 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.334

Ferreiro, E., & Teberosky, A. (1999). Los sistemas de escritura en el desarrollo del niño (16.ª ed.). Siglo XXI Editores.

Fiorella, L., & Mayer, R. E. (2021). Principles of Multimedia Learning. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108894333 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108894333

Gambrell, L. B. (2011). Seven rules of engagement: What’s most important to know about motivation to read. The Reading Teacher, 65(3), 172–178. https://doi.org/10.1002/TRTR.01024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/TRTR.01024

Guthrie, J. T., Wigfield, A., & You, W. (2012). Instructional contexts for engagement and achievement in reading. Handbook of Reading Research, 4, 601–634. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2018-7_29

Gutiérrez-Fresneda, R., De Vicente-Yagüe Jara, M. & Alarcón Postigo, R. (2020). Desarrollo de la conciencia fonológica en el inicio del proceso de aprendizaje de la lectura. Revista signos, 53(104), 664-681. https://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-09342020000300664 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-09342020000300664

Hirsh-Pasek, K., Zosh, J. M., Golinkoff, R. M., Gray, J. H., Robb, M. B., & Kaufman, J. (2015). Putting education in “educational” apps: Lessons from the science of learning. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 16(1), 3–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100615569721 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100615569721

Howard, J. L., Bureau, J., Guay, F., Chong, J. X., & Ryan, R. M. (2021). Student motivation and associated outcomes: A meta-analysis from self-determination theory. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 16(6), 1300–1323. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691620966789 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691620966789

Hwang, H., Cabell, S. Q., & Joyner, R. E. (2022). Effects of Integrated Literacy and Content-area Instruction on Vocabulary and Comprehension in the Elementary Years: A Meta-analysis. Scientific Studies of Reading, 26(3), 223–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888438.2021.1954005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10888438.2021.1954005

International Literacy Association. (2018). Literacy leadership brief: Meeting the challenges of early literacy. https://www.literacyworldwide.org

Kim, J., Shin, Y., & Cho, E. (2021). The effects of educational apps on early literacy and mathematics: A meta-analysis. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 59(5), 891-915. https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584211004183 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584211004183

Marinak, B. A., & Gambrell, L. B. (2008). Intrinsic motivation and rewards: What sustains young children’s engagement with text? Literacy Research and Instruction, 47(1), 9–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/19388070701749546 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19388070701749546

Mayer, R. E. (2020). Multimedia learning (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316941355 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316941355

Mayer, R. E. (2021). The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108894333 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108894333.003

Mekler, E. D., Brühlmann, F., Tuch, A. N., & Opwis, K. (2022). Towards understanding the effects of individual gamification elements on intrinsic motivation and performance. Computers in Human Behavior, 71, 525-534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.08.026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.08.048

Neumann, M. M. (2018). Using tablets and apps to enhance emergent literacy skills in young children. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 42, 239–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2017.10.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2017.10.006

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2980-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2980-7

Sailer, M., & Homner, L. (2020). The gamification of learning: A meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 32, 77–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-019-09498-w DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-019-09498-w

Schiefele, U., Schaffner, E., Möller, J., & Wigfield, A. (2012). Dimensions of reading motivation and their relation to reading behavior and competence. Reading Research Quarterly, 47(4), 427–463. https://doi.org/10.1002/RRQ.030 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/RRQ.030

Schunk, D. H., & DiBenedetto, M. K. (2020). Motivation and social cognitive theory. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 60, 101832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2019.101832 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2019.101832

Sweller, J. (2020). Cognitive load theory and educational technology. Educational technology research and development, 68(1), 1-16 . DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-019-09701-3

Toste, J. R., Didion, L., Peng, P., Filderman, M. J., & McClelland, A. M. (2020). A meta-analytic review of the relations between motivation and reading achievement for K–12 students. Review of Educational Research, 90(3), 420–456. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654320919352 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654320919352

van Merriënboer, J.J.G., Kirschner, P.A., & Frèrejean, J. (2024). Ten Steps to Complex Learning: A Systematic Approach to Four-Component Instructional Design (4th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003322481 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003322481

Vasilaki, E., & Mavrogianni, A. (2025). Extending Cognitive Load Theory: The CLAM Framework for Biometric, Adaptive, and Ethical Learning. Psychology International, 7(2), 40. https://doi.org/10.3390/psycholint7020040 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/psycholint7020040

Wen, Y., & Walters, S. (2022). The Impact of Technology on Students’ Writing Performances in Elementary Classrooms: A Meta-Analysis. Computers & Education Open, 190, 104523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2022.100082 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2022.100082

Published

2026-03-24

How to Cite

García Venegas, A., & Cuevas Gutiérrez, A. I. (2026). Design of an educational application for early literacy oriented toward motivation in first grade of elementary education. ANNALS SCIENTIFIC EVOLUTION, 5(1), 3116–3138. https://doi.org/10.70577/asce.v5i1.736

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.