Reading On-The-Go

In this paper we present a 20–participant controlled experiment to evaluate and compare a head–down visual display and a synthesized speech audio display for comprehending text while mobile. Participants completed reading comprehension trials while walking a path and sitting. We examine overall performance and perceived workload for four conditions: audio–walking, audio–sitting, visual–walking, and visual–sitting. Results suggest audio is an acceptable modality for mobile comprehension of text. Participants’ comprehension scores for the audio–walking condition were comparable to the scores for the visual–walking condition. More importantly, participants saw improvements in their ability to navigate the environment when using the audio display.

Audio–walking condition (left): Participants walk around the path while listening to synthesized speech through headphones. Visual–walking condition (right): Participants walk around the path while reading text on a small visual display.

Reading On-The-Go

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