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Copyright © 1999 by Bonnie Skaalid |
Recommendations as to the amount of text to place on a computer screen are very contradictory. Most of the research on text density was carried out previous to 1990. This means that much of the research used computers with monochrome monitors or monitors with 16 colors at most. Some of the research was even based on 40 column screens. Some studies found subjects preferred high density screens [3] while others recommended lower density [4]. Formats for testing screen density varied widely; from screenfuls of X's and O's representing text, to nonsensical text, to actual instruction - it is unclear whether these methodological differences have an effect on the actual outcomes. Many experts in computer-based instruction have recommended "minimal amounts of text with lots of white space and double-spaced lines" [5, p. 234] while others suggest that "text is read more efficiently when presented in a dense manner" [2, p. 26]. Since the environment for computers has changed dramatically since the majority of these recommendations were made and no new research studies are forthcoming, it is impossible to determine any instructionally based research guidelines about screen density. A conference presentation by Jared Spool profiling his recent internet research found that users rated sites with large amounts of white space and sparse text as "too complicated, over-detailed, visually confusing, unclear and "not enticing". Mistrustful of the results, the researchers tested the effects of white space five different ways, only to come up with similar results." [1]
[1] Festa, P. (1998). Web design not what you pay for. [Online]. Available: http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,21150,00.html [2] Hooper, S., and Hannafin, M. J. (1986). Variables affecting the legibility of computer generated text. Journal of Instructional Development, 9 , 22-29. [3] Morrison, G., Ross, S., Schultz, C., O'Dell, J. (1989). Learner preferences for varying screen densities using realistic stimulus materials with single and multiple designs. Educational Technology, Research & Development, 37 (3), 53-60. [4] Ross, S. M., Morrison, G.R. & Schultz, C.W. (1994). Preferences for Different CBI Text Screen Designs Based on the Density Level and Realism of the Lesson Content Viewed. Computers in Human Behavio r, 10(4), 593-603 EJ493289 [5] Schwier,
R., & Misanchuk, E. (1993) Interactive multimedia
instruction . Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational
Technology Publications, Inc. Screen
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