Analysis of the Learning Process through Eye Tracking Technology and Feature Selection Techniques

María Consuelo Sáiz-Manzanares,Ismael Ramos Pérez,Caroline Françoise Martin,Leandro Almeida,Sandra Rodríguez Arribas,Adrián Arnaiz Rodríguez

doi:10.3390/app11136157

María Consuelo Sáiz-Manzanares, Ismael Ramos Pérez + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app11136157

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Journal: Applied Sciences	Publication Date: Jul 2, 2021
Citations: 14	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Burgos, University of Minho

Abstract

In recent decades, the use of technological resources such as the eye tracking methodology is providing cognitive researchers with important tools to better understand the learning process. However, the interpretation of the metrics requires the use of supervised and unsupervised learning techniques. The main goal of this study was to analyse the results obtained with the eye tracking methodology by applying statistical tests and supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques, and to contrast the effectiveness of each one. The parameters of fixations, saccades, blinks and scan path, and the results in a puzzle task were found. The statistical study concluded that no significant differences were found between participants in solving the crossword puzzle task; significant differences were only detected in the parameters saccade amplitude minimum and saccade velocity minimum. On the other hand, this study, with supervised machine learning techniques, provided possible features for analysis, some of them different from those used in the statistical study. Regarding the clustering techniques, a good fit was found between the algorithms used (k-means ++, fuzzy k-means and DBSCAN). These algorithms provided the learning profile of the participants in three types (students over 50 years old; and students and teachers under 50 years of age). Therefore, the use of both types of data analysis is considered complementary.

Highlights

The eye tracking technique has represented an important advance in research in different fields, for example, cognitive psychology, as it records evidence on the cognitive processes related to attention during the resolution of different types of tasks
This implies an important advance in the study of information processing, as this technique will allow us to obtain empirical indicators in different metrics, all of which offers a guarantee of precision to the psychology professional for the interpretation of each user’s information processing
Other studies [2] have indicated that the use of multimedia resources that incorporate zoom effects makes it easier for information to remain longer in short-term memory (STM)

Summary

Introduction

The eye tracking technique has represented an important advance in research in different fields, for example, cognitive psychology, as it records evidence on the cognitive processes related to attention during the resolution of different types of tasks This technology provides the researcher with knowledge of the eye movements that the learner performs to solve different tasks [1]. Technological advances are improving the study of information processing in different learning tasks The use of these resources is an opportunity for cognitive and instructional psychology to delve into the analysis of the variables that facilitate deep learning in different tasks. These tools allow the visualisation of the learning patterns of apprentices during the resolution of different activities. Other studies [2] have indicated that the use of multimedia resources that incorporate zoom effects makes it easier for information to remain longer in short-term memory (STM)

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