A study of relative effectiveness of online visual instructions by combined analysis of brainwaves, intelligence, and learning outcomes

Abstract

This study compared 2D and 3D, both still and animated, online visual instructions on participant’s brain activity measured by EEG alpha power and on their recall to see if alpha power and recall differ significantly by depth and movement of visual instructions as well as by spatial intelligence. Eight-six undergraduate students took a Mental Rotation Test, and were identified as having either high or low spatial intelligence. Participants from each intelligence group were assigned to four visual instruction groups (2D still, 2D animation, 3D still, and 3D animation), receiving an instruction on the LASIK procedure in its respective style. Participants’ brain activity was measured during the instruction, and a 10-item multiple-choice test was given at the end of the instruction to measure their recall. Examining the relationship between brain waves, intelligence, and learning outcomes may present new possibilities for developing an interactive and personalized learning tool.