Focusing Attention with Temporal Sound

AbstractThis research addressed the problem of students’ inattention to critical information from the computer interface by focusing on software solutions using sound. Current interest in constructivism, hypermedia authoring, and verbal-information learning suggested endorsement of these areas as the experimental platform. Temporal sound was designated for empirical study. Temporal sound is spoken information provided about future and past events that present highlights and details about static or moving visuals. The purpose of the study was to determine how temporal sound affected the students’ attention to critical information. Twelve postsecondary students were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: sound, sound/text, or text. Between-subjects designs using small groups are not uncommon in educational computing research. A protocol analysis of their verbal reports revealed that temporal sound helped these subjects attend to screen information by affecting their constructive ability. Wh...

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