Get More Done: Improve Reading Speed, Accuracy, and Comprehension Increasingly, reading is done on digital devices. Technology provides an opportunity to move from a one-size-fits-all model to one personalized for each reader. Small changes to text format can improve readability and maximize the reader’s ability to comprehend quickly and accurately. Readability Does Matter. Readers of…
A Discussion About Eye Tracking and the Potential to Advance Readability Research Readability Matters recently Zoomed with Alexandra Papoutsaki, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Pomona College. We learned more about Alexandra’s research, her development of webcam-based eye tracking, and how it can advance readability research. Tell us more about…
What does Spaghetti Sauce have to do with Readability? On National Spaghetti Day (Jan 4), we remember best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell’s TED talk, “Choice, Happiness, and Spaghetti Sauce.” Malcolm covers the food industry’s pursuit of the perfect spaghetti sauce—and makes a larger argument about the nature of choice. Gladwell explains that Howard Moskowitz “has…
A Discussion of the First Use of the Virtual Readability Lab with College Students Readability Matters recently virtually sat down with Dr. Shelley Rodrigo, Senior Director of the Writing Program and Associate Professor in Rhetoric, Composition at The University of Arizona. Dr. Rodrigo was the first university professor to pilot the use of the…
United Nations Focuses on Improving Learning Outcomes to Benefit Business and Society This week the United Nations marked the 75th anniversary of the signing of the U.N. charter. Leaders gathered virtually to address challenges and issues facing our global community. The UN site notes, “The UN is marking its 75th anniversary at a time…
Increase Readability, Reduce Cognitive Load Freeing Working Memory for Processing Meaning Meaghan Crowley-Sullivan, M.Ed., M.A. How does Readability Affect Cognitive Load, Fluency, and Comprehension? Research studies have shown a direct connection between reading fluency and comprehension. Individuals who process and recognize words quickly can determine the meaning and engage in critical thinking skills faster…
Adjust Readability Features to Improve Your Reading Outcomes Many different audio signals can be adjusted for a better sound experience. In the same way, visual components of digital text format can be adjusted to create a better reading experience. Technology offers new opportunities for you as an individual to Tune Your Text. Adjust readability…
Remote Work The coronavirus pandemic has changed how millions around the globe work, are educated, and stay connected. While the toll on human life and economies continues to rise, it is clear that the world will not return to the way it was before COVID-19 arrived; new business models have emerged. As the economy…
ReadWorks’ High-Quality Content in Readability Research Readability Matters is excited to announce that we have teamed up with the nonprofit ReadWorks to enhance testing materials used in research with K-12 students. ReadWorks uses cognitive science research to create world-class content. They currently serve over 16 million students and are growing rapidly as learning becomes…
The global pandemic has changed how students are educated. Worldwide, 9 out of 10 children, or 1.57 billion learners, are out of school (UNESCO, April 2020). Education looks different with students now at home being educated by their parents and by teachers remotely. To tackle this challenge, organizations across sectors are working together with new…