Webcam-based eye-tracking to measure visual expertise of medical students during online histology training

Abstract

Objectives: Visual expertise is essential for image-based tasks that rely on visual cues, such as in radiology or histology. Studies suggest that eye movements are related to visual expertise and can be measured by near-infrared eye-tracking. With the popularity of device-embedded webcam eye-tracking technology, cost-effective use in educational contexts has recently become amenable. This study investigated the feasibility of such methodology in a curricular online-only histology course during the 2021 summer term.Methods: At two timepoints (t1 and t2), third-semester medical students were asked to diagnose a series of histological slides while their eye movements were recorded. Students’ eye metrics, performance and behavioral measures were analyzed using variance analyses and multiple regression models.Results: First, webcam-eye tracking provided eye movement data with satisfactory quality (=115.7 px±31.1). Second, the eye movement metrics reflected the students’ proficiency in finding relevant image sections (=6.96±1.56 vs. irrelevant areas=4.50±1.25). Third, students’ eye movement metrics successfully predicted their performance (R=0.39, p<0.001).Conclusion: This study supports the use of webcam-eye-tracking expanding the range of educational tools available in the (digital) classroom. As the students’ interest in using the webcam eye-tracking was high, possible areas of implementation will be discussed.

Keywords

• digital histology
• eye-tracking study
• histology training
• online education
• visual expertise
• visual expertise development
• webcam eye-tracking
• webcam eye-tracking methodology