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This study investigates the method for measuring cognitive workload in augmented reality-based biomechanics lectures by analyzing pupil dilation. Using Dikablis Glasses 3 and Microsoft HoloLens, we recorded physiological and subjective data across learning and problem-solving phases. Pupil dilation was normalized and segmented, enabling a comparison of cognitive demands between phases. The results indicated significant correlations between pupil dilation and NASA TLX cognitive demand, particularly in lectures that primarily involved procedural knowledge. These findings suggest that instructional design and content complexity have a significant impact on cognitive load, providing valuable insights for optimizing AR-based learning environments to support cognitive efficiency and student engagement.
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This content will become publicly available on October 15, 2026
Pupil Dilation as an Indicator of Debugging Strategy in a Location-Based AR Learning Environment
Debugging process plays a crucial role in helping students pinpoint their specific learning weaknesses, allowing them to modify their strategies for enhanced academic performance. Notably, changes in pupil dilation serve as an indicator of arousal associated with confronting learning challenges. This physiological response acts as a “physiological footprint” that reflects cognitive engagement, facilitating internally focused cognitive processes such as insight generation and mind-wandering. In this study, we proposed that pupil dilation could be a valuable predictor of students’ metacognitive awareness throughout the debugging process, specifically within an augmented reality (AR) learning environment. The findings revealed significant differences in pupil dilation among students categorized by their varying levels of debugging, which represents a specific dimension of the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2202108
- PAR ID:
- 10643893
- Publisher / Repository:
- Sage Journals
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
- ISSN:
- 1071-1813
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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