My hands or my mouse: Comparing a tangible and graphical user interface using eye-tracking data

Abstract

Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) have drawn the interest of HCI and learning communities because of their potential positive impact on the learning experience. In this paper, we describe a preliminary study of a TUI application for training spatial skills of carpenter apprentices. We designed a tangible interface to perform a CAD modelling activity in a way that resembles what apprentices do in the workspace: shaping a wooden brick through sequential cuts by using a saw. The core of the study is to compare the effects of TUI and GUI on the user experience, by taking advantage of eye-tracking data. We report two main findings: first, the successful employment of eye-gaze tool in TUI research which represents a novelty per-se. Second, a significant impact of the TUI on the user experience which gives some insights about the cognitive benefit of tangibles.