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The Effect of Screen Size on Reading Speed: A Comparison of Three Screens to Print

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Book cover Advances in Human Factors in Training, Education, and Learning Sciences (AHFE 2019)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 963))

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Abstract

Many students are starting to rely on screens to consume their textbooks rather than paper. Does the screen influence reading speed according to its size or when compared to traditional paper? In this study, participants started the experiment with a different device and read four short stories for 10 min each. Participants read on a 17ʺ computer screen, a paperback book, a 10ʺ tablet and a 3ʺ cell phone screen. The number of words they read were counted and the actual words read per minute were calculated. No significant effect of reading speed was found across the screen sizes or the book. Individual participant’s reading speed was remarkably consistent across all the devices suggesting that reading speed does not vary with presentation mode for a brief period.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to the students who worked in the lab on this project: Jenny Stanhope, Caresse Owens, Andrea Sias, Marvin Valarezo and mentor, Dr. Tom Sanocki.

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Correspondence to Lisa Jo Elliott .

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Elliott, L.J., Ljubijanac, M., Wieczorek, D. (2020). The Effect of Screen Size on Reading Speed: A Comparison of Three Screens to Print. In: Karwowski, W., Ahram, T., Nazir, S. (eds) Advances in Human Factors in Training, Education, and Learning Sciences. AHFE 2019. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 963. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20135-7_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20135-7_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-20134-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-20135-7

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