The development and usability of SmartRead UMRI for learning reading comprehension among undergraduate students

This study investigates the development and usability of SmartRead UMRI to enhance English reading comprehension among students of the English Education Study Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau. Employing a quantitative-methods approach within the Design Development Research (DDR) framework, the study addresses the challenges faced by the students in reading environments. It aims to create an effective and engaging e-learning tool. The research involved 134 students from the English Education Study Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau. Data collection methods included needs analysis questionnaires, expert validation using the Fuzzy Delphi Method, and student feedback on motivation and technology acceptance. SmartRead UMRI was developed based on identified student needs, incorporating six units covering ambiguous words, unfamiliar words, cultural texts, connecting ideas, main ideas, and supporting details. Results from the needs analysis revealed that students faced moderate difficulties with reading materials (mean 3.14) and significant challenges with vocabulary (mean 3.61). The expert evaluation yielded high consensus across all assessed criteria with threshold values (d) below 0.2, indicating strong agreement on SmartRead UMRI usability. Student motivation scores were generally high (mean 6.83), suggesting positive engagement with SmartRead UMRI. The results of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire showed a high perceived ease of use (mean 7.30) and usefulness (mean 7.50) of SmartRead UMRI. Despite the overall positive feedback, students reported barriers and challenges such as internet connectivity issues, eye strain from prolonged screen use, and distractions in digital environments. The study concludes that the developed SmartRead UMRI effectively addresses many of the identified challenges in reading comprehension while highlighting areas for future improvement in e-learning design and implementation. This research contributes to the field of educational technology by providing insights into the development of context-specific, theoretically grounded e-learning materials for language education in higher education settings.