An Investigation on How Cognitive Style Affected Multimedia Learners' Visual Search Patterns and Learning Outcomes

• In Event: Poster Session 4
  In Poster Session: Instructional Technology SIG Poster Session

Abstract

This study examined the impact of level of field dependence affected learners’ visual search patterns and further determine learning outcomes. In additional to traditional achievement measures and self-reported cognitive load rating, eye-tracking technology was used to investigate learners’ approaches in attaining task-relevant information. No effect of cognitive style on learners’ achievement and cognitive load level was found. However, compared to field-independent learners, field-dependent learners were found to fixate and regress more frequently on components of the visual instructional materials with the same amount of time. The eye-tracking data showed that field-dependent learners were less effective than field-independent learners in extracting key information from the materials. Discussion and suggestions for the findings and future studied were provided in this paper.

Authors

• Han-Chin Liu, National Chiayi University

• Hsueh-Hua Chuang, National Sun Yat-Sen University