Utilizing eye tracking to improve learning from examples

Abstract

In recent year, eye tracking has been used in many areas such as usability studies of interfaces, marketing, and psychology. Learning with computer-based educational systems relies heavily on students' interactions, and therefore eye tracking has been used to study and improve learning. We have recently conducted several studies on using worked examples in addition to tutored problem solving. In this paper we discuss how we used eye-tracking data to compare behaviors of novices and advanced students while studying examples. We propose a new technique to analyze eye-gaze patterns named EGPA. In order to comprehend SQL examples, students require information available in the database schema. We analyzed students' eye movement data from different perspectives, and found that advanced students paid more attention to database schema than novices. In future work, we will use the outcomes of this study to provide proactive feedback. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.