Skip to main content

Exploring Relationships Between Distractibility and Eye Tracking During Online Learning

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Advances in Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering (AHFE 2021)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ((LNNS,volume 259))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 1736 Accesses

Abstract

More than half of students think their attention is easily shifted when they’re learning online. Distractibility, to a certain extent caused by visual stimuli is the main impact to decrease their academic performance. In addition, eye-tracking technology has been widely applied to explore distractibility in many “look” tasks, such as reading, viewing advertisements, and watching online videos as well as measure the efficiency of visual cognition. Therefore, this paper aimed to discuss the relationship between distractibility with eye movement indices and academic performance. Fifty high school students (30 girls) were recruited to complete experiment that was divided into two groups, which are the experimental group with distractions and controls with no one. The result showed that three of traditional eye movement indices were significantly correlated with distractibility (\(p < 0.05\)). Then we introduced the network accessibility model and the gaze transformation entropy to create two composite indexes according to the complexity and directivity of distractibility characteristics. The result revealed that the two composite indexes are significantly correlated with distractibility (\(p < 0.05\)). Finally, we constructed the mapping model about eye movement metrics about distractibility and online learning performance with a machine learning algorithm. The result ration was \(R^{2} = 0.799,\) and the error was \(Re < 0.1\), which proved the model was feasible and accessible. The research from the perspective of distractibility can provide valuable support for physiological indicators testing tools of academic performance and highlights the applications of eye movement dynamics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Ministry of education of the people’s Republic of China, “suspended class, ongoing learning” [EB/OL]. (2020-01-29) [2020-03-30]. http://www.moe.gov.cn/jybxwfb/gzdtgzdt/s5987/202001/t20200129416993.html.

  2. 2.

    Iresearch. 2020Q1&2020Q2eChina online education market data release report [EB/OL]. (2020-06-29) [2020-06-29]. http://report.iresearch.cn/report_pdf.aspx?id=3599.

References

  1. Fauci, A.S., Lane, H.C., Redfield, R.R.: Covid-19 – navigating the uncharted. N. Engl. J. Med. 382, 1268–1269 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. King, T., Wang, X.: A survey of college students’ network and new media education. Young Journal. (31), 25–26 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Schüler, A., Scheiter, K., Gerjets, P.: Does the modality effect in multimedia learning appear only with text containing spatial information? Zeitschrift für Padagogische Psychologie 25(4), 257–267 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Schüler, A., Scheiter, K., Gerjets, P.: Verbal descriptions of spatial information can interfere with picture processing. Memory 20(7), 682–699 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Cinquin, P., Guitton, P., Sauzéon, H.: Online e-learning and cognitive disabilities: a systematic review. Comput. Educ. 130, 152–167 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Pomplun, M., Reingold, E.M., Shen, J.: Investigating the visual span in comparative search: the effects of task difficulty and divided attention. Cognition 81(2), 57–67 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Schneps, M.H., Thomson, J.M., Sonnert, G., Pomplun, M., Chen, C., Heffner-Wong, A.: Shorter lines facilitate reading in those who struggle. PLoS ONE 8(8), e71161 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Maughan, L., Gutnikov, S., Stevens, R.: Like more, look more. Look more, like more: the evidence from eye-tracking. J. Brand Manag. 14(4), 335–342 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Wang, J., Antonenko, P.: Instructor presence in instructional video: effects on visual attention, recall, and perceived learning. Comput. Hum. Behav. 71, 79–89 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Just, M.A., Carpenter, P.A.: A theory of reading: from eye fixations to comprehension. Psychol. Rev. 87(4), 329–354 (1980)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Rayner, K.: Eye movements in reading and information processing: 20 years of research. Psychol. Bull. 124(3), 372–422 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Jacob, R.J.K., Karn, K.S.: Eye-tracking in human-computer interaction and usability research: ready to deliver the promises [Section commentary]. In: Hyona, J.R., Radach, H.D. (eds.) The Mind’s Eyes: Cognitive and Applied Aspects of Eye Movements. Elsevier Science, Oxford (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Wang, J., Antonenko, P., Celepkolu, M., Jimenez, Y., Fieldman, E., Fieldman, A.: Exploring relationships between eye tracking and traditional usability testing data. Int. J. Hum.-Comput. Interact. 35(6), 483–494 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Tsai, M., Hou, H., Lai, M., Liu, W., Yang, F.: Visual attention for solving multiple-choice science problem: an eye-tracking analysis. Comput. Educ. 58(1), 375–385 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Mu, S., Cui, M., Wang, X.J., Qiao, J.X., Tang, D.M.: Learners’ attention preferences of information in online learning: an empirical study based on eye-tracking. Interact. Technol. Smart Educ. 16(3), 186–203 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Lai, M.L., Tsai, M.J., Yang, F.Y., Hsu, C.Y., Liu, T.C., Lee, S.W.Y., et al.: A review of using eye-tracking technology in exploring learning from 2000 to 2012. Educ. Res. Rev. 10, 90–115 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Kliegl, R., Nuthmann, A., Engbert, R.: Tracking the mind during reading: the influence of past, present, and future words on fixation durations. J. Exp. Psychol. Gen. 135(1), 12–35 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Lee, Y., Lee, J.D., Boyle, L.N.: The interaction of cognitive load and attention-directing cues in driving. Hum. Factors 51(3), 271–280 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Maćkiewicz, A., Ratajczak, W.: Towards a new definition of topological accessibility. Transp. Res. Part B: Methodol. 30(1), 47–79 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-2615(95)00020-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Gu, Z., Jin, C., Chang, D., Zhang, L.: Predicting webpage aesthetics with heatmap entropy. Behav. Inf. Technol. 1–15 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2020.1717626

  21. Giuliano, G., Redfearn, C., Agarwal, A., He, S.: Network accessibility and employment centres. Urban Stud. (Edinburgh, Scotland) 49(1), 77–95 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Shaw, S., Fang, Z., Lu, S., Tao, R.: Impacts of high speed rail on railroad network accessibility in china. J. Transp. Geogr. 40, 112–122 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Yücel, E., Salman, F.S., Arsik, I.: Improving post-disaster road network accessibility by strengthening links against failures. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 269(2), 406–422 (2018)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  24. Clausius, R.: Über die bewegende Kraft der Wärme und die Gesetze, welche sich daraus für die Wärmelehre selbst ableiten lassen. Ann. Phys. 155(3), 368–397 (1850)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Tole, J.R., Stephens, A.T., Vivaudou, M., Jr Harris, R.L., Ephrath, A.: Entropy, instrument scan, and pilot workload. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Cybernetics and Society, Seattle, WA, pp. 588–592 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Tole, J.R., Stephens, A.T., Vivaudou, M., Ephrath, A.R., Young, L.R.: Visual scanning behavior and pilot workload. NASA Contractor Reports (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Harezlak, K., Augustyn, D., Kasprowski, P.: An analysis of entropy-based eye movement events detection. Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) 21(2), 107 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Harezlak, K., Kasprowski, P.: Application of time-scale decomposition of entropy for eye movement analysis. Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) 22(2), 168 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Amador Campos, J.A., et al.: Assessing distractibility by eye movements in a binocular rivalry task. Eur. Psychiatry 26(S2), 263 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Adams, Z.W., Roberts, W.M., Milich, R., Fillmore, M.T.: Does response variability predict distractibility among adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder? Psychol. Assess. 23(2), 427–436 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Hutton, S.B., Joyce, E.M., Barnes, T.R.E., Kennard, C.: Saccadic distractibility in first-episode schizophrenia. Neuropsychologia 40(10), 1729–1736 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Chen, F., Wang, L., Peng, G., Yan, N., Pan, X.: Development and evaluation of a 3-D virtual pronunciation tutor for children with autism spectrum disorders. PloS One 14(1), e0210858 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Jans, B., Peters, J.C., De Weerd, P.: Visual spatial attention to multiple locations at once: the jury is still out. Psychol. Rev. 117(2), 637–682 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Liversedge, S.P., Paterson, K.B., Pickering, M.J.: Chapter 3 - eye movements and measures of reading time. Elsevier Science Ltd., pp. 55–75(1998)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Irwin, D.E.: Lexical processing during saccadic eye movements. Cogn. Psychol. 36(1), 1–27 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Chang, W.S., Teng, W.G., Yang, C.T., et al.: Assessing media relevance via eye tracking. In: International Conference on Advances in Social Networks Analysis and Mining, pp. 722–727. IEEE Computer Society (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Kowler, E.: Eye movements: the past 25 years. Vis. Res. (Oxford) 51(13), 1457–1483 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Sigrist, R., Rauter, G., Riener, R., Wolf, P.: Augmented visual, auditory, haptic, and multimodal feedback in motor learning: a review. Psychon. Bull. Rev. 20(1), 21–53 (2012). https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-012-0333-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shanshan Chen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Chen, S., Zhao, Y., Wu, T., Li, Y. (2021). Exploring Relationships Between Distractibility and Eye Tracking During Online Learning. In: Ayaz, H., Asgher, U., Paletta, L. (eds) Advances in Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering. AHFE 2021. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 259. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80285-1_31

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80285-1_31

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-80284-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-80285-1

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics