Project Title
Eye Tracking, Reading, and Font Characteristics
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Diana Young
Abstract
In this study, we plan to assess the validity of multiple claims from software company Bionic Reading concerning their new typography known as Bionic Font. The companies recently released font style called “Bionic Font,” bolds the first half of each word in a passage, allegedly creating artificial fixation points within the text that the readers eyes will be guided too. They claim this will increase the visual efficiency with which the reader navigates through the text and facilitate a better overall understanding of the text. (Bionic Reading GmbH, 2022). To evaluate these claims made by Bionic Reading, we will be conducting an independent groups design study comparing one group of subjects reading fluency and reading comprehension when reading a passage in Bionic Font, against another group of participant’s reading fluency and comprehension when reading a passage in Times New Roman. We will assess reading fluency as the participant is reading the passage via eye tracking. Tracking participants’ eye movements will allow us to assess whether one backtracks during the passage. Reading comprehension is often measured by a participant's performance on a written or oral examination concerning the passage they just read after a short break following reading (Kendeou et al., 2009). So, we will assess fluency as the participant is reading the passage via eye tracking and assess comprehension after, with a brief multiple-choice questionnaire.
Eye Tracking, Reading, and Font Characteristics
In this study, we plan to assess the validity of multiple claims from software company Bionic Reading concerning their new typography known as Bionic Font. The companies recently released font style called “Bionic Font,” bolds the first half of each word in a passage, allegedly creating artificial fixation points within the text that the readers eyes will be guided too. They claim this will increase the visual efficiency with which the reader navigates through the text and facilitate a better overall understanding of the text. (Bionic Reading GmbH, 2022). To evaluate these claims made by Bionic Reading, we will be conducting an independent groups design study comparing one group of subjects reading fluency and reading comprehension when reading a passage in Bionic Font, against another group of participant’s reading fluency and comprehension when reading a passage in Times New Roman. We will assess reading fluency as the participant is reading the passage via eye tracking. Tracking participants’ eye movements will allow us to assess whether one backtracks during the passage. Reading comprehension is often measured by a participant's performance on a written or oral examination concerning the passage they just read after a short break following reading (Kendeou et al., 2009). So, we will assess fluency as the participant is reading the passage via eye tracking and assess comprehension after, with a brief multiple-choice questionnaire.