The Analysis of Mouse Tracking Data in a Game for Detection of Dyslexia Risk: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Dyslexia is the disorder affecting reading and learning language. Children with dyslexia cannot spell words or acquire reading. Screening is a necessary process to distinguish dyslexia children to treat and help them appropriately. If detection can be done since they are in pre-readers age, it can lessen the undesirable outcomes for children such as lower educational attainment, negative feelings toward learning, and loss of self-confidence and self-respect. Many researchers used computer games for screening purpose. Game design is a significant part to achieve the goal. One of the challenges in creating a game for children is designing the game that maintains children's attention until they finish the game. In addition, the level of difficulties must be suitable for the participants' skill. Thus, this paper presents a pilot study that used a picture rotation game to study children behavior in attempt to distinguish them. The game was designed mainly to study behavior of children with dyslexia but not the game design principles. This study found that game playing behavior of the two groups of children was different. The difficulty levels of the game were found to have influence on their gameplay. The findings are used as the guidelines to improve the design of the game to better assess the risk of dyslexia children.