PaceReader

Screen-shot of PaceReader^TM

PaceReader™ is an easy to use reader that flashes words, one at a time, in the centre of the screen at the desired speed. PaceReader™ is based on Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP), first used in the mid-1960s.

PaceReader™ includes:

• 30 minute countdown timer (with pause)
• Play or pause by pressing the space bar
• Save button to save speed and position for next time
• Resume button to resume from the last saved settings
• Speed box to enter words per minute speed
• Large sized font with well contrasted text on a black background

Benefits of PaceReader™:

• Improved reading speed
• Up to 3.5 times faster than traditional reading methods
• You set the rate that the computer presents the words
• No more having to turn the page
• improve your memory and sharpen concentration
• Read more in the same space of time

Tips for Use

• Click the 'Save' button to save your position and speed before closing.
• The counter is set to 30 minutes and will automatically count down. If you want to stop the counter click on it.
• If you make a .lnk shortcut in your start menu use the following -k option to make it run in kiosk mode (full screen):

  "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"
   -k "C:\Some Folder\PaceReader1.3_BOM.htm"

Reading paradigms: From lab to cyberspace

Aaronson and Colet (1997) have proposed several ways to improve reading speed. They described some methods that have been developed in computer laboratories over the past few years to help in controlling text displays for reading research.

One method had subjects pace themselves through word sequences. Each time they pressed a key on the keyboard a new word would show in the center of the screen (overwriting the existing word). In this way, the subjects could pace themselves through word sequences. Reading speed was improved over the speed of reading from a document because virtually all eye movements (saccades) were eliminated.

There is no question that the computer can help improve reading performance

A closely related, but alternative method, was to allow subjects to have each key press show a new word, but to have some or all preceding words remain on the screen. In this way a sentence or paragraph gradually appears, which allowed users to glance back at previously read material.

One of the most promising methods is called Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP). It was first used in the mid-1960s for rapidly displaying individual words, one at a time, in the center of a monitor's screen. Each new word replaced the old word. Users set the rate that the computer presented the words. This approach has demonstrated a capacity to substantially improve reading speed.

In the 1999 User Interface Update course (see below), the RSVP method is used to illustrate how quickly reading performance can be improved. In one class the average reading speed from a paper document was measured to be 342 words-per-minute, with a range from 143 to 540 words-per-minute. After determining the basic reading rate, the class members read material presented on the screen, one word at a time, at 600, then 800, then 1,000, then 1,300, and finally at 1,600 words-per-minute. After each set of reading material, the students answered multiple choice questions about the text.

The top reading speeds were as follows for measured comprehension scores of 75% or higher:

• 1,600 wpm - 3 people
• 1,300 wpm - 8 people
• 1,000 wpm - 3 people
• 800 wpm - 0 (nobody)
• 600 wpm - 2 people

The average for the class was 1212 wpm, which is about 3.5 times faster than reading in the traditional way. There is no question that the computer can help improve reading performance; but it must be done in non-traditional ways.