Using Eye-Movement Modelling Examples With Reading Strategies to Improve Adults' Reading Performances of Illustrated Texts

Background

Although comprehending illustrated texts is essential, adult readers in this era may not have acquired reading comprehension strategies. Eye-movement modelling example (EMME) is promising for helping less-skilled learners master these strategies; however, its benefits for adults remain unknown. Another understudied factor in the EMME literature is readers' perceptions of persuasive reading comprehension strategies, which may affect their propensity to employ them while reading.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine whether the EMME we developed improves adults' reading comprehension accuracy and efficiency of illustrated texts when paired with reading comprehension strategy instructions, and to investigate readers' perceptions of the persuasiveness of reading comprehension strategies.

Methods

The effects of combining EMME with instructions consisting of three reading comprehension strategies (EMME group; n = 54) on readers' reading comprehension were compared with those in a group that received instruction only (control group; n = 53). We also explored adult readers' perceptions of the persuasiveness of these strategies. Notably, our EMME came with a verbal explanation and consisted of a red dot overlaying the materials, representing the eye movements of the expert model while reading illustrated texts.

Results and Conclusions

The findings showed that the EMME group outperformed the control group in reading comprehension. Moreover, the EMME group finished the posttest more quickly than the control group. Most participants perceived making connections between texts and graphs as a persuasive strategy, creating mental images was proposed by fewer readers, and making connections within graphs was cited by even fewer readers.