Speed Reader > How it works

People read words on a printed page in "saccadic jumps," a series of somewhat erratic eye motions around a section of a printed page. The time it takes to move and refocus the eyes is a significant factor in reading speed. RSVP is a kind of reading where words or short phrases appear in sequence in one spot on a screen. Because the words continually flash in one spot, the reader does not have to move his or her eyes, avoiding the saccadic jumps and eliminating the time used in eye motion.

Custom content
ReadRacer is a relatively inexpensive exhibit with content that can be tailored to fit into any exhibition. Choose from our content packages, or design one of your own.

Speedreading
Will ReadRacer help improve reading speed on paper? The act of reading is slowed down mostly by eye motion, eye fatigue, and subvocalization. In general it seems that RSVP does help people improve their word recognition skills, just as flash cards do. Faster readers generally recognize words and phrases by their shape and outline, rather than by "sounding out" the syllables or sub vocalizing. RSVP works well because it trains people to recognize words by their overall outline or shape, and seeing one or a few words at a time makes that easier. Visual reading, rather than vocal reading, is one key to faster reading both in print and onscreen.

New Metrics for New Media
What about metrics such as comprehension and speed testing? Standard reading comprehension tests are designed for printed text, which is a very different kind of reading task. Using standard tests on new media forms like RSVP produces false results. Other metrics can be applied to understand how this new kind of reading is experienced; there is a metrics screen provided for interested visitors. The main point of the ReadRacer exhibit is to let visitors experiment with a fun, engaging new kind of reading. It is not designed to test your visitors.

ADHD
If properly designed, RSVP can be an effective form of reading for kids with ADHD or dyslexia. Because it uses motion, color, and physical interaction with the joystick, as well as larger-sized text and colorful background images, ReadRacer triggers more areas of the brain simultaneously. This kind of triggering of multiple sensory inputs has been proved to help people with ADHD to focus more clearly and have better recall.

Dyslexia
Presenting one word or phrase at a time in a larger size can be advantageous for dyslexic readers. It enables a common coping mechanism, whereby they can recognize the word by its shape or outline. As with ADHD, a physical interaction (the joystick motion) supplements the sensory perception of the word and helps the brain makes sense of what it's seeing.