Rapid Serial Visual Presentation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) is a method of displaying information (generally text or images) in which the text is displayed word-by-word in a fixed focal position. Aside from a basic reading aid, RSVP is being researched as a tool to increase individual reading rates. RSVP is also being utilized for research in the fields of Visual Impairment, Dyslexia, Sexual Offenders, perceptual and cognitive psychology. RSVP is available in software on mutliple platforms and in many different languages worldwide.
Contents |
[edit] Advantages
The unique method utilized by RSVP allows for the reading of unlimited text in a limited position. Researchers from Carnegie Mellon have found that as many as 12 words per second are readable in controlled situations (720wpm) [1]. Further research has shown that for shorter pieces of text, RSVP formats increased reading speed by 33% with no significant differences in comprehension or task load [2]. In the future it is believed that RSVP will be utilized mostly on small screen devices such as cell phones and PDA’s.
Research done by the Wichita State University suggests that at 250 words per minute (WPM) comprehension was not significantly different from reading done using Palm Reader (EReader). Display at 650 WPM reduced comprehension by 20% [3]
Studies have shown that reading rate is determined by size of text and spacing. RSVP allows users to obtain a maximum reading rate through the ability to adjust text size and eliminate space by displaying one item at a time[4].
[edit] Other Uses
RSVP can aid those with poor eyesight with its one text at a time display that enlarges and highlights the words.
[edit] RSVP and Peripheral Reading
Peripheral reading is vital to those suffering from central field loss, which is most commonly seen in the elderly. Factors which might limit one's peripheral reading rate include acuity, crowding, and eye movements. Many find difficulty making the correct eye movements for peripheral reading, but the dependence on eye movements can be minimized through the presentation format of RSVP [5].
[edit] Dyslexia
For those suffering from Dyslexia, RSVP decreases confusion by helping the reader maintain the correct order of the sentence with its one word at a time format, thus leading to a better understanding of the material.
[edit] RSVP and Sexual Offenders
Research has shown that images presented in RSVP have the potential to illicit a response from sexual offenders by measuring the effects of attentional blink. A stronger attentional blink is expected among sexual offenders after viewing a series of child related images. This response could potentially help identify sexual offenders and the profile of such criminals[6].
[edit] Drawbacks
- Repetition Blindness - When presented with a sequence of visual stimuli in rapid succession at the same location, readers often fail to detect words prominently repeated in a series, thus potentially missing the main ideas of the text.
- Attentional Blink - The mind focuses longer on certain words which may strike an emotional chord, which can put the reader behind in a sequence.
- Temporal masking - Certain words when being read aloud in a series may evoke a striking sound or response that makes inaudible the
[edit] Notable Products
- eyercize.com - free online highly customizable speed reader and tachistoscope
- RSVP Reader RSVP Extension for FireFox
- Dictator A Cross-platform GPL2 RSVP text reader
- FastReader A windows based RSVP text reader
- MyRSVP An online Java Applet
- WordFlashReader A cross-platform RSVP program written in Perl/Tk
- Spreeder Free online speed reader
- iReadFast Free application for Mac OS X
- Reasy Another Firefox RSVP Extension with different presentation to RSVP Reader
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- A Brief Description
- Ph.D. dissertation about using RSVP on mobile devices
- More Research
- Patent Questions
- Reading phone text one word at a time - CNET News.com
- Zap Reader an online tool to RSVP web pages. Includes tools to improve ease of use inside a web browser.
