Using Virtual Reality to Assess Reading Fluency in Children

authors

• Mirault Jonathan
• Albrand Jean-Patrice
• Lassault Julie
• Grainger Jonathan
• Ziegler Johannes C

keywords

• Reading fluency
• Virtual reality
• Lexical decision task
• Eye-tracking
• Beginning readers

document type

abstract

Here we provide a proof-of-concept for the use of virtual reality (VR) goggles to assess reading behavior in beginning readers. Children performed a VR version of a lexical decision task that allowed us to record eye-movements. External validity was assessed by comparing the VR measures (lexical decision RT and accuracy, gaze durations and refixation probabilities) to a gold standard reading fluency test-the One-Minute Reading test. We found that the VR measures correlated strongly with the classic fluency measure. We argue that VR-based techniques provide a valid and childfriendly way to study reading behavior in a school environment. Importantly, they enable not only the collection of a richer dataset than standard behavioral assessments but also the possibility to tightly control the environment.

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