How does representational competence develop? Explorations using a fully controllable interface and eye-tracking

Representational competence (RC), defined as “the ability to simultaneously process and integrate multiple external representations (MERs) in a domain”, is a marker of expertise in science and engineering. However, the cognitive mechanisms underlying this ability, and how this ability develops in learners, are poorly understood. In this paper, we present a fully manipulable interface, designed to help school students develop RC, and a pilot eye and mouse tracking study, which sought to develop a detailed understanding of how students interacted with our interface. We developed an analysis methodology for eye and mouse tracking data that characterizes the interaction process in analytical terms, and operationalizes the process of MER integration. We present preliminary results of applying our analysis methodology to student data obtained in our pilot study.