Texts are a group of letters which are printed or displayed in a particular style and size. In the course of the fast speed of technological development everywhere and expanding use of computer based instruction such as online courses, students spend more time on a computer screen than printed media. Texts have been the main element to convey messages. It has also been a substantial component for learning.
The main goal of this research is to measure the effects of font type and sentence spacing of on screen text and its readability in improving and boosting the learner’s ability to read easily, recall information, and enhance their reading speed and comprehension from on screen text with different topics. The readability of text on screens is necessary to ensure effective engagement in order to enhance the level of students’ readability.
For this purpose two font types were selected, Times New Roman (serif) and Verdana (san serif) for the respondents. Verdana was designed only for computer screens display. Readability test on a computer screen was conducted on 30 postgraduate students.
Overall, the results showed that there was a statistically-significant difference between the readability of Times New Roman and Verdana font type of on-screen display [Verdana preferred].
The research findings suggest Verdana font type as a better choice in displaying long text for on-screen display.
[Keywords: font type, readability, spacing, on-screen text, serif, san serif]
…Sample: The participants selected for this study were from a Malaysian University. A total of n = 30 international postgraduate students involved in this study.
…4 reading passages or text blocks, with containing 200 words at the same level of difficulty were prepared. Two expert lecturers from a Malaysian university reviewed and validated these 4 text blocks before the instrument was developed. The reading text blocks as exposed in Figure 1 & Figure 2 below used serif and san serif fonts with single and double spacing.
…As well, the level of statistical-significance between double Times New Roman vs. Verdana double space for retention was 0.025 and the level of statistical-significance of time taken between double space Times New Roman vs. Verdana double space was 0.001. The results show that the differences toward on-screen reading between the two different font type such as serif and san serif (Times New Roan vs. Verdana) with different spacing (Double spacing vs. Single spacing) did differ much.