The use of computer displays to improve reading comprehension

Abstract

There are a number of different ways to present text on computer‐controlled displays, and these vary in their relative readabilities. ‘Electronic pages’ can be made to be almost as readable as high‐quality printed pages. Alternative text display formats can make use of some of the flexibility inherent in computers—for example, by presenting text that appears to move upwards from the bottom of the screen or from right to left along a single line. Research has shown, however, that the most viable alternative to the standard page format, both as a tool for the study of reading processes and as a means to promote reading efficiency, is the rapid, serial visual presentation (RSVP) technique. In RSVP the text is divided into small units of one or a few words that are presented successively for brief durations to a common location on a screen. Text presented in this way can be read rapidly and with good comprehension, while the need for eye movements is eliminated. The data from several studies indicate that RSVP can actually improve the comprehension abilities of less‐skilled readers. The present paper explores reasons for this apparent advantage of RSVP for some readers, and proposes ways in which the method might be applied in instructional settings.