Objective: Accurate and efficient eye movements are an important aspect to a child’s reading performance. Poor readers demonstrate higher rates of eye movement disorders, which may negatively impact reading. Saccadic eye movements direct the eyes to the next word while reading. Single word presentation reading presents each word centered in the screen. The purpose of this study was to measure reading fluency for students using single word presentation reading and traditional left-to-right reading. Methods: In this randomized study, participants (n=22) read 3rd Grade Scholastic Reading Fluency Passages using single word presentation and left-to-right reading. Left-to-right reading was measured by adding the total number of words read correctly in one minute (WCPM). Reading fluency was measured using single word presentation by adjusting the speed of presentation to the maximum speed the student stated words clearly without errors for one minute (WCPM). Students answered three reading comprehension questions following each reading passage. Results: Students achieved significantly higher reading fluency scores when reading with single word presentation compared with left-to-right reading (mean (SD), 154 (47) WCPM vs 125 (46) WCPM, p<0.001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Reading comprehension scores were slightly higher when reading with single word presentation verses left-to-right reading (92% (18) vs 88% (17)), however this was not statistically significant (p=0.335). On average, students read 28.8 more words per minute while reading with single word presentation compared with left-to-right reading. Conclusion: This study found that single word presentation reading may be a more efficient method of reading and maintain or improve reading comprehension. Single word presentation technology should be considered as an addition to current reading methods.
Summary Points:
- Single word presentation reading may be a more efficient method of reading and maintain or improve reading comprehension.