Technology and Elaboration of Information in Aging: Preliminary Data of Verbal vs. Visual Performance - 2nd International Workshop on Evidence-Based Technology Enhanced Learning - page 44

Fig. 1 Example of items of the SAT: visual and verbal versions
In the experiment we applied the tests in computerized version. We want ex-
amine the performance of the sample analyzing the accuracy and the execution
time, so we elaborate the tests from 'paper and pencil' version (standard) to com-
puterized version.
Experimental condition. In Figure 2 is represented the experimental condition.
The subject was in front of the PC touch screen (screen 32”; resolution 1920 x
1080; distance subject-monitor = 70 cm); the subject's right hand was placed on the
table close to an external touchpad (208 x 138 x 7,5 mm; active area 125 x 85 mm);
When the item appeared on the screen, the subject had to touch fast first the pad
and then the PC screen. The warning sound of 500 Msec precedes the appearance
stimulus. The stimulus remained on the screen until the subject answers touching the
screen. The task execution modality was in 3 steps: 1 = relaxing state; 2 = touch of
the pad for decision time performance; 3 = touch of the screen for accuracy perfor-
mance. In the relaxing state the item appeared on the screen and the timer was
trigged. As soon as the subject had decided the correct choice, he had to touch the
pad: the time in between the appearance of the item and the touch of the pad was
considered the decision time; finally, the touch on the PC screen of the cor-
rect/wrong choice was considered the response accuracy. The participants were
verbally instructed on the task, and were submitted to three practice items.
Fig. 2 The execution condition in experimental test
2.3 Procedure
The participants were adult voluntaries recruited from the University population
and City Clubs. Each participant was tested in a quiet room reserved for testing.