Abstract:
In this article the authors describe how they incorporate eye tracking in a human-computer interaction
(HCI) course that forms part of a postgraduate Informatics degree. The focus is on an eye tracking
assignment that involves student groups performing usability evaluation studies for real world
clients. Over the past three years the authors have observed how this experience positively affected
students’ attitude towards usability and user experience (UX) evaluation. They therefore believe that
eye tracking is a powerful tool to convince students of the importance of user centered design. To
investigate the soundness of their informal observations, the authors conducted a survey amongst
2016 HCI students and analysed student course evaluation results from 2014 to 2016. The findings
confirm that students regard the eye tracking assignment as a mind altering experience and that it
is potentially an effective tool for convincing future IT professionals of the importance of usability,
UX and user centered design.
