How Revisions to Mathematical Visuals Affect Cognition: Evidence from Eye Tracking

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Author(s): Virginia Clinton (University of North Dakota, USA), Jennifer L. Cooper (Wesleyan University, USA), Joseph E. Michaelis (University of Wisconsin – Madison, USA), Martha W. Alibali (University of Wisconsin – Madison, USA)and Mitchell J. Nathan (University of Wisconsin – Madison, USA)
Copyright: 2017
Pages: 24
Source title: Eye-Tracking Technology Applications in Educational Research
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Christopher Was (Kent State University, USA), Frank Sansosti (Kent State University, USA)and Bradley Morris (Kent State University, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-1005-5.ch010

Keywords: Education / Educational Technologies / Information Science Reference

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Abstract

Mathematics curricula are frequently rich with visuals, but these visuals are often not designed for optimal use of students' limited cognitive resources. The authors of this study revised the visuals in a mathematics lesson based on instructional design principles. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of these revised visuals on students' cognitive load, cognitive processing, learning, and interest. Middle-school students (N = 62) read a lesson on early algebra with original or revised visuals while their eye movements were recorded. Students in the low prior knowledge group had less cognitive load and cognitive processing with the revised lesson than the original lesson. However, the reverse was true for students in the middle prior knowledge group. There were no effects of the revisions on learning. The findings are discussed in the context of the expertise reversal effect as well as the cognitive theory of multimedia learning and cognitive load theory.

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How Revisions to Mathematical Visuals Affect Cognition: Evidence from Eye Tracking

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