Eye Movements of Learners with Different Cognitive Styles Watching Digital Learning Videos

Abstract

In response to the arrival of the post-COVID-19- era, digital learning has become crucial in education. The use of multimedia digital teaching materials in education is becoming increasingly common. Each individual has preferences regarding methods for absorbing information and, in turn, has a distinct learning model. Differences in learners’ cognitive styles may be related to their learning performance and their eye movements when browsing information. Therefore, this study explored differences in the eye movements of learners with different cognitive styles (text-based and image-based) while reading graphic information. First, we used the Style of Processing scale to identify learners’ cognitive styles. Next, a pretest was administered, and the participants were invited to watch educational videos. Finally, a posttest was conducted. We collected eye movement data while the participants watched the videos, and the collected data were used for subsequent analysis. Examining the use of digital learning materials for different subjects indicated that the participants with image-based cognitive styles focused more on graphic reading than did those with text-based cognitive styles.