Influence of Visual Cues on Eye Movements and Reasoning in Physics Problems

• In Event: Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: College Student Learning and Outcomes Poster Session 2

Abstract

Research in several disciplines has shown that using visual cues to focus learners’ attention on relevant areas in diagrams and animations can increase comprehension and facilitate problem solving. We investigate the effectiveness of visual cues in physics problems containing a diagram with respect to comprehension and transfer. We also investigate to what extent viewing cues influences eye movements. The treatment group saw an initial problem, and if they answered incorrectly, were shown similar problems overlaid with dynamic visual cues relating to the correct solution. The control group saw the same problems without cues. All students verbally explained their reasoning after each question and answered transfer problems without cues. We report on students’ eye movements and verbal explanations.

Authors

• Adrian Madsen, Kansas State University

• Adam Larson, Kansas State University

• Amy Rouinfar, Kansas State University

• Allison Coy, Kansas State University

• Lester Loschky, Kansas State University

• N. Sanjay Rebello, Kansas State University