The Computer Lab Tasks began one week after the classroom tasks. These
tasks took place in a computer lab on campus, where each participant had access to a
computer and study packet. The computer lab contained 18 computers prepped to
display the first computer screen to welcome participants.
In the computer lab, each participant worked independently to complete five
tasks: training example, reading of a passage, answer reading comprehension
questions, a survey, and enter the gift card drawing. Immediately upon arrival,
participants were asked to sign-in, and were provided oral instructions to take a study
packet, find a seat at an open computer station, and follow the computer screens for
further guidance. In addition each participant was asked not to close any tabs or
window screens; if they had any questions, they only needed to raise their hand, at
which time I would assist them. At each computer station participants found 10
computer screens to guide them through each task sequentially:
Training Example (computer screens #1-4);
Reading Summary (computer screens #5-6);
Reading Comprehension Questions (computer screen #7);
Survey (computer screen #8);
Gift Card Slip (computer screen #9);
Training Example (computer screens 1-4). Theses screens were used to
welcome participants, provide basic instructions, and give an opportunity to practice
with a training example. The goal of these screens was to allow the participant a
chance to become familiar with the study packet, the navigation between screens, and
the use of the two glossing tools of a SINGLE click or DOUBLE click feature that is
available for both SW and FS when reading.
Reading Summary (computer screens #5-6). Immediately following the
training session the Reading Passage task was presented to all participants using two
computer screens. Computer screen #5 reviewed the individual steps needed for the
task with computer screen #6 serving as a splash screen to remind participants of the
glossing tools available and the provide link that is needed to open the reading
passage into a separate tab.
The Reading Passage section of this study was based on a within subject
design. All participants were given the same passage with 50% of the targeted SW
and 50% of the targeted FS typographically salient. The glosses were available to all
participants with no restrictions on the number of times a gloss could be accessed.
The participants were allowed to move freely between the screens of the passage.
When the participant was finished with the reading passage they clicked on the button:
“Finished Reading”. This provided the reader with a list of requested glosses and generated a logfile entry, in the background for the participant with a list of requested
glosses.
Reading Comprehension Questions (computer screen #7). Following the
choice reading comprehension questions in their study packet. Each participant was
given one version of the test which contained 20 questions. Participants were also
welcomed to keep the reading passage tab open as they completed the questions.
Once all the questions were answered by the participant, they were directed to return
to the computer screen and click the navigational button to go to the Survey.
Survey (computer screen #8). The survey was used to obtain the participant’s
opinions on reading and glossing as well as their experience using glosses. Computer
Screen #8 directed the participant to locate and complete the survey in their printed
study packet.
Gift Card Drawing (computer screen #9). The final computer lab task was the
gift card drawing slip. With Computer Screen #9 the participants were directed to
locate the Gift Card drawing form in their study packet. This Drawing slip was to be
used to submit their name for a $25 gift card. Participants were reminded that
submitting one’s name for this drawing was available to all participants who completed the tasks, but it was not mandatory.
The drawing for the winners was done after the collection of all participant data
necessary from Day 1 and Day 2. This drawing took place on university school
grounds in the English Department, by the Office Manager who was able to draw three
names for participant winners. The winning students were notified by email that they
had won the drawing, and given instructions how to collect the prize.
Closure (computer screen #10). The last computer screen acknowledged the
completion of the tasks for Day 2, at which time participants were asked to raise their
the study packet and clicked on the “Finished Reading” button online, which allowed for data submission. Upon verification, participants were congratulated and asked to
submit both their study packet, and gift card drawing slip before signing out of the
computer lab.
The Day 2 – Computer Lab Tasks were given to each participant with no time restriction, however it is noted that most participants were finished within 60 minutes.
The main experiment portion on Day 2 involved a reading passage followed by 20
comprehension questions and was designed to follow Bishop (2004b). Bishop (2004b)
presented a reading passage to participants on the computer which contained
electronic glossing using the same 20 targets involving 10 SW and 10 FS; followed by