Using Eye-Tracking to Investigate the Different 3D Representation on Students' Mental Model Construction

To alleviate these difficulties of students learning atomic orbital concepts, this study developed different 3D animations to foster students to generate better learning performance and their sophisticated mental models. The study also explored students' eye movement behaviors. All 60 high school students received the pre- and post-test of atomic orbital concept test and mental model test before and immediately after learning from either static or dynamic 3D animations. The results indicated that the performances of students' mental models are influenced by different 3D animations mode. With respect to eye movements, students who received dynamic 3D animations allocated greater number of fixation, number of saccade, and longer total inspection time as well as saccade distance than those who received static 3D animations. These findings have implications for how to develop well-designed instruction to foster students' learning performance and for the relationship between eye movement behaviors with learning performance.