Recording online processes in task-oriented reading with Read&Answer

Abstract

We present an application to study task-oriented reading processes called Read&Answer. The application mimics paper-and-pencil situations in which a reader interacts with one or more documents to perform a specific task, such as answering questions, writing an essay, or similar activities. Read&Answer presents documents and questions with a mask. The reader unmasks documents and questions so that only a piece of information is available at a time. This way the entire interaction between the reader and the documents on the task is recorded and can be analyzed. We describe Read&Answer and present its applications for research and assessment. Finally, we explain two studies that compare readers' performance on Read&Answer with students' reading times and comprehension levels on a paper-and-pencil task, and on a computer task recorded with eye-tracking. The use of Read&Answer produced similar comprehension scores, although it changed the pattern of reading times.

Formative feedback to transfer self‐regulation of task‐oriented reading strategies

“…The selection task component of select&revisit feedback increased the difficulty of the questionanswering task because it forced readers to connect explicitly their mental representation regarding the relevant information to answer the question with the text, which is a monitoring accuracy activity induced by the experimental situation (Thiede et al, 2003;Thiede et al, 2009;Vidal-Abarca et al, 2011). Furthermore, the selection task introduced an interference over normal task performance, which is facilitative of learning because it required learners to apply task-relevant cognitive processes (Schmidt & Bjork, 1992;Healy et al, 2012).…”

Adaptive formative feedback to improve strategic search decisions in task‐oriented reading

“…The texts and questions were presented using a new computer‐based technology based on Read&Answer software (Vidal‐Abarca, Martínez et al ., ). The program recorded every action the students undertook, the order of these activities and the time each activity lasted (i.e., online processing measures) using masking/unmasking procedure.…”

The Role of General and Selective Task Instructions on Students’ Processing of Multiple Conflicting Documents

“…Both the reading of texts and the answering of the task were done using Read&Answer (Vidal-Abarca et al, 2011). This software allows to register on-line reading behavior in a controlled manner, while simultaneously embedding the tasks to be performed.…”