Investigating The Effect of Visual Elements on The Attention of Students with Visual Learning Style in Virtual Classes

Paying attention to educational stimuli is the first step in the process of perception and learning. Many researches have been done in the field of learning styles and learning preferences, however, little research has been done in the field of learners' attention using new cognitive neuroscience tools such as eye tracking devices. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of visual elements on the attention of students with a visual learning style in virtual classes using an eye tracking device. To achieve the goal, the quasi-experimental method, single subject with A-B-A design was used. The data collection tool in this research was Felder and Solomon's learning style questionnaire and eye tracking device. First, the participant with the dominant visual style was identified., then, in accordance with the ethical principles, the participant was trained at each stage during 8 sessions in the virtual classroom, and the level of attention of the participant to different visual and textual points was evaluated with an eye tracking device. To analyze the data, repeated measurement analysis, visual diagram analysis and heatmap analysis were used. The findings of the research showed that with the addition of visual elements such as the instructor's camera to the content , the learner's attention to the entire page increases F(2,14)=5.087,p= 0.022.