Implementing Read Along as a digital reading media for Grade VII students of SMP IT Cendekia Pematangsiantar

Abstract

This community service program was carried out at SMP IT Cendekia Pematangsiantar, aiming to improve Grade VII students’ reading skills through the use of an interactive digital media called Read Along. The media was chosen for its features, including real-time pronunciation feedback, illustrated stories, a virtual assistant named Diya, and mini quizzes that support students’ comprehension of English texts. The method used in this activity involved hands-on learning, demonstration, and discussion. The program was conducted independently by the implementer through an educational and interactive approach. The results indicated that students were highly interested in the media and were motivated to continue using it outside the classroom. One challenge encountered was the noisy classroom environment, which made it difficult for the app to accurately detect students’ voices. This activity is expected to serve as a reference for teachers in developing media-based learning and enhancing students’ reading literacy in line with 21st-century competencies.