FittsFarm: Comparing Children’s Drag-and-Drop Performance Using Finger and Stylus Input on Tablets

Abstract

We used a two-dimensional Fitts’ law task to compare finger and stylus input with children when performing drag-and-drop tasks on a tablet. Twenty-eight children completed the study. Drag-and-drop performance was significantly better using a low-cost stylus compared to finger input. Throughput was 9% higher for stylus input (2.55bps) compared to finger input (2.34bps). Error rates were 35% percent higher for finger input (12.6%) compared to stylus input (9.3%). Error rates approximately doubled with smaller targets. There was no significant difference observed for movement time between input methods. Findings indicate schools should consider providing children with a low-cost stylus for educational activities on tablets.