Attention Demands in Text Entry Interfaces

Attention demands were also addressed in previous work specifically on text entry where, for example, a distinction was drawn between text copy tasks and text creation tasks [7]. In a text copy task, the user’s attention switches between the source text and the interface. Experimentally, the shift poses a problem because the time taken for the gaze shift and for visual and cognitive processing serves to push the entry speed down, yet the additional time is not intrinsic to the interface. In a text creation task, the user enters text from memory. Similar attention shifts are not needed and, presumably, do not occur. Free form text creation (e.g., “Write a paragraph about your weekend.”) is problematic, because the user will no doubt hesitate to think about, or ponder, what to enter, and this also pushes entry speed down. Most text entry evaluations use a controlled text creation task with short phrases of memorized text. It is felt that the benefit in eliminating or minimizing attention demands out weighs the cost of reduced external validity (due to a procedure that is atypical of usage). Often the phrase disappears with the first keystroke to further ensure that the user does not switch the focus of attention between the source text and the entered text.