Learners’ Perception of Scientific Text Layouts Design Using Eye-Tracking

Lifelong learning, particularly in adult education, has gained considerable attention due to rapid lifestyle changes, including pandemic-induced lockdowns. This research targets adult learners returning to higher education after gap years, emphasizing their preference for technology with clear, prac...

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Main Authors: Elizabeth Wianto, Hapnes Toba, Maya Malinda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Eye Movement Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1995-8692/18/3/22
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author Elizabeth Wianto
Hapnes Toba
Maya Malinda
author_facet Elizabeth Wianto
Hapnes Toba
Maya Malinda
author_sort Elizabeth Wianto
collection DOAJ
description Lifelong learning, particularly in adult education, has gained considerable attention due to rapid lifestyle changes, including pandemic-induced lockdowns. This research targets adult learners returning to higher education after gap years, emphasizing their preference for technology with clear, practical benefits. However, many still need help operating digital media. This research aims to identify best practices for sustainably providing digital scientific materials to students by examining respondents’ tendencies in viewing journal article pages and scientific posters, with a focus on layout designs that include both textual and schematic elements. The research questions focus on (1) identifying the characteristics of Areas of Interest (AoI) that effectively attract learners’ attention and (2) determining the preferred characteristics for each learner group. Around 110 respondents were selected during the experiments using web tracking technology. Utilizing this web-based eye-tracking tool, we propose eight activities to detect learners’ perceptions of text-based learning object materials. The fact that first language significantly shapes learners’ attention was confirmed by time-leap analysis and AoI distances showing they focus more on familiar elements. While adult learners exhibit deeper engagement with scientific content and sustained concentration during reading, their unique preferences toward digital learning materials result in varied focus patterns, particularly in initial interest and time spent on tasks. Thus, it is recommended that lecturers deliver digital content for adult learners in a textual format or by placing the important parts of posters in the center.
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spelling doaj-art-8e751748ebcf4fa397b0fad9af4e8fa32025-08-20T03:27:14ZengMDPI AGJournal of Eye Movement Research1995-86922025-06-011832210.3390/jemr18030022Learners’ Perception of Scientific Text Layouts Design Using Eye-TrackingElizabeth Wianto0Hapnes Toba1Maya Malinda2Faculty of Humanities and Creative Industries, Universitas Kristen Maranatha, Bandung 40164, IndonesiaFaculty of Smart Technology and Engineering, Universitas Kristen Maranatha, Bandung 40164, IndonesiaFaculty of Digital Business and Law, Universitas Kristen Maranatha, Bandung 40164, IndonesiaLifelong learning, particularly in adult education, has gained considerable attention due to rapid lifestyle changes, including pandemic-induced lockdowns. This research targets adult learners returning to higher education after gap years, emphasizing their preference for technology with clear, practical benefits. However, many still need help operating digital media. This research aims to identify best practices for sustainably providing digital scientific materials to students by examining respondents’ tendencies in viewing journal article pages and scientific posters, with a focus on layout designs that include both textual and schematic elements. The research questions focus on (1) identifying the characteristics of Areas of Interest (AoI) that effectively attract learners’ attention and (2) determining the preferred characteristics for each learner group. Around 110 respondents were selected during the experiments using web tracking technology. Utilizing this web-based eye-tracking tool, we propose eight activities to detect learners’ perceptions of text-based learning object materials. The fact that first language significantly shapes learners’ attention was confirmed by time-leap analysis and AoI distances showing they focus more on familiar elements. While adult learners exhibit deeper engagement with scientific content and sustained concentration during reading, their unique preferences toward digital learning materials result in varied focus patterns, particularly in initial interest and time spent on tasks. Thus, it is recommended that lecturers deliver digital content for adult learners in a textual format or by placing the important parts of posters in the center.https://www.mdpi.com/1995-8692/18/3/22adult learnerarea of interesteye-trackinginformation processinglifelong learning
spellingShingle Elizabeth Wianto
Hapnes Toba
Maya Malinda
Learners’ Perception of Scientific Text Layouts Design Using Eye-Tracking
Journal of Eye Movement Research
adult learner
area of interest
eye-tracking
information processing
lifelong learning
title Learners’ Perception of Scientific Text Layouts Design Using Eye-Tracking
title_full Learners’ Perception of Scientific Text Layouts Design Using Eye-Tracking
title_fullStr Learners’ Perception of Scientific Text Layouts Design Using Eye-Tracking
title_full_unstemmed Learners’ Perception of Scientific Text Layouts Design Using Eye-Tracking
title_short Learners’ Perception of Scientific Text Layouts Design Using Eye-Tracking
title_sort learners perception of scientific text layouts design using eye tracking
topic adult learner
area of interest
eye-tracking
information processing
lifelong learning
url https://www.mdpi.com/1995-8692/18/3/22
work_keys_str_mv AT elizabethwianto learnersperceptionofscientifictextlayoutsdesignusingeyetracking
AT hapnestoba learnersperceptionofscientifictextlayoutsdesignusingeyetracking
AT mayamalinda learnersperceptionofscientifictextlayoutsdesignusingeyetracking