Eye and pen: A new device for studying reading during writing

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Writing Studies

Background:

• Understanding the interplay between reading and writing is crucial for deciphering cognitive processes during composition.
• Existing methods for studying writing processes often lack the granularity to capture simultaneous reading and writing behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel method for synchronously recording handwriting and eye movements during written composition.
• To explore the relationships between reading and writing activities.
• To provide a fine-grained analysis of visual information fixation during the writing act.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of the Eye and Pen device.
• Synchronous recording of handwriting and eye movements.
• Analysis of visual information fixation during writing pauses and active writing.

Main Results:

• The Eye and Pen device offers a detailed description of visual information processing during writing.
• It captures eye movements during both writing and pauses, complementing existing methods.
• The device allows for the investigation of how previously written text and external sources influence writing.

Conclusions:

• The Eye and Pen device provides a valuable tool for studying the dynamics of writing processes.
• Investigating reading engagement during writing offers critical insights into visually-guided composition.
• This method can advance research on cognitive processes underlying written language production.