1. Investigating the Use of Eye-Tracking Technology for Assessment: A case study of research and innovation at a Special School INNOVATION IN THE ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING Dr Sarah Younie, Professor Christina Preston, MirandaNet, Institute for Education Futures, De Montfort University, Leicester

2. Investigation into the use of eye-tracking technology to aid assessment of pupils with PMLD and SLD participatory action research approach To research whether using eye gaze will support the school in carrying out accurate assessments confirm whether judgements and observations being made previously were an accurate assessment of the pupil’s abilities Why?- inform and guide the school, families and other professionals practice. Improve understanding between staff and pupils to identify the interests of pupils with complex learning needs. Project aims and summary

3. In the simplest terms, eye tracking is the measurement of eye activity. Where do we look? What do we ignore? When do we blink? How does the pupil react to different stimuli? The concept is basic, but the process and interpretation can be quite complex. Case study - eye tracking technology and its applications for learning and assessment WHAT IS EYETRACKING?

4. Eye tracking data is collected using either a remote or head-mounted ‘eye tracker’ connected to a computer. eye trackers generally include two common components: a light source and a camera. The light source (usually infrared) is directed toward the eye. The camera tracks the reflection of the light source along with visible ocular features such as the pupil. This data is used to extrapolate the rotation of the eye and ultimately the direction of gaze. Additional information such as blink frequency and changes in pupil diameter are also detected by the eye tracker. The aggregated data is written to a file that is compatible with eye-tracking analysis software THE PROCESS OF EYE TRACKING

5. There are many different methods of exploring eye data. The most common is to analyse the visual path across a computer screen. Each eye data observation is translated into a set of pixel coordinates. From there, the presence or absence of eye data points in different screen areas can be examined. This type of analysis is used to determine which features are seen, when a particular feature captures attention, how quickly the eye moves, what content is overlooked THE INTERPRETATION OF EYE TRACKING DATA

6. The technology used… By Smartbox assistive technology Purpose- allowed the recording of pupil's eye movements to produce heat maps and gaze plotting that showed precisely where the pupils had been looking The software is called 'Gaze Viewer' camera (hardware) is called 'TobiiPCEye Go'

7. provided an independent data source on the pupils cognitive abilities enabling teachers to be able to provide different styles of visual images enhanced teachers confidence in their assessment another tool to make informed judgments KEY FINDINGS – FOR STAFF

8. providing more information on individual learner's interests, likes, dislikes and engagement increased teachers trust in their judgements teachers to be able to provide different styles of visual images, such as photos or cartoons, to aid pupil's learning heat maps provided data that demonstrated the abilities of pupils not observed before KEY FINDINGS – FOR PUPILS

9. assessment tool to assess the understanding of pupils working at low P levels who have profound and multiple learning difficulties better to uncluttered background images that avoid confusion and distraction Confirmed teacher judgements The technology – is it effective?

10. If other schools wish to use eye-tracking technology – recommend create own materials - as the generic learning activities / pictures that came with the software need to be adapted for pupils with complex needs Teachers receive training before the use of eye-tracking technology A designated staff member is given responsibility – to oversee the whole process and they ensure that appropriate materials are created for pupils Recommendations – from research findings