Improving reading attention by using animation and interaction

This paper describes and evaluates a new method for reading on computers that is aimed to improve attention, while keeping the same readability and usability of the Paging text presentation. Named Single Line Reading (SLR), the method is based on Leading and presents new features over the previous researches in the field, such as keyboard interaction for dynamic speed and direction control, focus on larger screens and smooth animations. For evaluation purposes, it was created the Single Line Reader, a software that implements the SLR method. The main experiment was a comprehension test, comparing the SLR method and the Paging method under normal conditions or listening to a controlled distraction. The results indicated that the SLR method was able to successfully improve the attention of the readers by 14.3% without distraction and by 7% with distraction. Those results are attributed to the following features of the SLR that were isolated in the experiment: interaction, bigger letters, animation, and occlusion of unnecessary information. In conclusion, this researches proves that the resilience to distractions in a cognitive task can be improved by increasing the attention required to do that task.