Scanning Signatures: A Graph Theoretical Model to Represent Visual Scanning Processes and a Proof of Concept Study in Biology Education

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Abstract

In this article we discuss, as a proof of concept, how a network model can be used to analyse gaze tracking data coming from a preliminary experiment carried out in a biodiversity education research project. We discuss the network model, a simple directed graph, used to represent the gaze tracking data in a way that is meaningful for the study of students’ biodiversity observations. Our network model can be thought of as a scanning signature of how a subject visually scans a scene. We provide a couple of examples of how it can be used to investigate the personal identification processes of a biologist and non-biologist when they are carrying out a task concerning the observation of species-specific characteristics of two bird species in the context of biology education research. We suggest that a scanning signature can be effectively used to compare the competencies of different persons and groups of people when they are making observations on specific areas of interests.
Original languageEnglish
Article number141
JournalEducation Sciences
Volume10
Issue number5
Number of pages14
ISSN2227-7102
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2020
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Fields of Science

  • 1181 Ecology, evolutionary biology
  • 111 Mathematics
  • 516 Educational sciences
  • gaze tracking
  • network models
  • biology education research
  • LEARN

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