To date, guidelines for designing inclusive dyslexia-friendly online learning environments, which take into consideration both learners with and without dyslexia, are still scarce. As web text is one of the extensively used elements in online learning, this study aims to derive practical guidelines on this aspect by exploring the experience of learners with dyslexia and learners without dyslexia when using different online reading affordances. The study employed a within-subjects qualitative study and key patterns that emerged from the data collected via observations and interviews were interpreted based on two important aspects of learning experience, which were perceived learning and engagement. The study reveals that (1) the direct application of Printed Text on the web should be carefully considered, (2) existing web accessibility guidelines (limit to guidelines examined in this study) are appropriate and (3) the use of a Screen Reader for online reading should not be made compulsory and be available as an option instead. The comparison between the experience of learners with and without dyslexia in this study has yielded insights into affordances that are perceived positively by both groups of learners. As learners with dyslexia form a significant minority of the online learning population, the inclusive dyslexia-friendly guidelines derived from this study would better inform the future implementation of online reading affordances that acknowledge differences and similarities between online learners.
The study employs an exploratory approach to examine the satisfaction of normal and dyslexic learners toward different web text modes. As an average of 10 % of the population shows some traits of dyslexia, presenting web text solely based on the guidelines for normal web users will put users with dyslexia at disadvantage. Due to the ubiquitous use of the web for online learning purposes and the availability of tremendous amount of text on the web, this investigation intends to derive appropriate guidelines for presenting web text that could accommodate both groups of learners. This qualitative study uses a multiple case study design and data are mainly collected via observations and guided interviews. The study reveals that existing dyslexia-friendly text guidelines are also appropriate for normal learners and the use of screen reader, an assistive technology that reads text aloud, does not fit every dyslexic and normal learner.
Abstract-The study aims to investigate the difference in satisfaction levels between normal and dyslexic learners when presented with various web text modes. Due to the high percentage of web users who exhibit some traits of dyslexia, presenting a web text that follows the guidelines which are meant for normal users poses challenges to dyslexic users. Acknowledging the ubiquitous use of the web for learning and the massive availability of text on the web as well as the significant number of dyslexic learners, this investigation intends to derive appropriate guidelines for displaying web text that could accommodate both normal and dyslexic learners. This qualitative study employs a multiple case study design and data are mainly collected via observation and guided interviews. The study reveals that existing dyslexia-friendly text guidelines are also appropriate for normal learners and contrary to the popular belief that assistive technology such as screen readers are helpful in reading, reading text aloud does not always work for both dyslexic and normal learners.
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