title: Adapting to the surface: A comparison of handwriting measures when writing on a tablet computer and on paper.
abstract: Our study addresses the following research questions: Are there differences between handwriting movements on paper and on a tablet computer? Can experienced writers, such as most adults, adapt their graphomotor execution during writing to a rather unfamiliar surface for instance a tablet computer? We examined the handwriting performance of adults in three tasks with different complexity: (a) graphomotor abilities, (b) visuomotor abilities and (c) handwriting. Each participant performed each task twice, once on paper and once on a tablet computer with a pen. We tested 25 participants by measuring their writing duration, in air time, number of pen lifts, writing velocity and number of inversions in velocity. The data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects modeling with repeated measures. Our results reveal differences between writing on paper and on a tablet computer which were partly task-dependent. Our findings also show that participants were able to adapt their graphomotor execution to the smoother surface of the tablet computer during the tasks.
authors.affiliation: Research Group: Diversity and Inclusion, University of Potsdam, Germany. Electronic address: sabrina.gerth@uni-potsdam.de.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerth
authors.affiliation: Research Group: Diversity and Inclusion, University of Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dolk
authors.affiliation: Research Group: Diversity and Inclusion, University of Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Annegret
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klassert
authors.affiliation: Research Group: Diversity and Inclusion, University of Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fliesser
authors.affiliation: Cognitive Sciences, University of Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Primary School Education/German, University of Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nottbusch
authors.affiliation: Research Group: Diversity and Inclusion, University of Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Festman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D005260:Female; D017276:Friction; D006236:Handwriting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010209:Paper; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013499:Surface Properties; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Graphomotor execution; Handwriting; Handwriting movements adaptation; Movement kinematics; Tablet computer