Effects of AR on Cognitive Processes: An Experimental Study on Object Manipulation, Eye-Tracking, and Behavior Observation in Design Education

We investigate the impact of augmented reality (AR) on spatial reasoning and visualization skills in design education by analyzing users’ interaction behaviors with AR environments. Specifically, we examine how prior experience in spatial design influences engagement with AR tools. To this end, we c...

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Main Authors: Ju Yeon Kim, Jin Kyung Choi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1882
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author Ju Yeon Kim
Jin Kyung Choi
author_facet Ju Yeon Kim
Jin Kyung Choi
author_sort Ju Yeon Kim
collection DOAJ
description We investigate the impact of augmented reality (AR) on spatial reasoning and visualization skills in design education by analyzing users’ interaction behaviors with AR environments. Specifically, we examine how prior experience in spatial design influences engagement with AR tools. To this end, we compare the eye movement and operational behaviors of two groups: participants with a background in 3D space design (experimental group) and those without such experience (control group). Participants manipulated virtual objects within real-world environments at a 1:1 scale, and we analyzed interaction frequency, duration, and efficiency using frequency analysis and independent samples <i>t</i>-tests in SPSS 25. The results indicate that, although both groups engaged similarly with AR content, the experimental group demonstrated more precise manipulation and a deeper understanding of spatial relationships, leading to more efficient task completion. These findings suggest that AR-based learning experiences should be tailored to learners’ spatial reasoning abilities to maximize educational benefits. Consequently, educators should design adaptive AR environments that accommodate diverse skill levels to ensure optimized learning outcomes in spatial design education.
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spelling doaj-art-331ef2cd5f824bdda709c48dfe5df89a2025-08-20T01:48:58ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-03-01256188210.3390/s25061882Effects of AR on Cognitive Processes: An Experimental Study on Object Manipulation, Eye-Tracking, and Behavior Observation in Design EducationJu Yeon Kim0Jin Kyung Choi1Department of Interior Architectural Design, Soongsil University, 360 Sando-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06978, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Interior Architectural Design, Soongsil University, 360 Sando-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 06978, Republic of KoreaWe investigate the impact of augmented reality (AR) on spatial reasoning and visualization skills in design education by analyzing users’ interaction behaviors with AR environments. Specifically, we examine how prior experience in spatial design influences engagement with AR tools. To this end, we compare the eye movement and operational behaviors of two groups: participants with a background in 3D space design (experimental group) and those without such experience (control group). Participants manipulated virtual objects within real-world environments at a 1:1 scale, and we analyzed interaction frequency, duration, and efficiency using frequency analysis and independent samples <i>t</i>-tests in SPSS 25. The results indicate that, although both groups engaged similarly with AR content, the experimental group demonstrated more precise manipulation and a deeper understanding of spatial relationships, leading to more efficient task completion. These findings suggest that AR-based learning experiences should be tailored to learners’ spatial reasoning abilities to maximize educational benefits. Consequently, educators should design adaptive AR environments that accommodate diverse skill levels to ensure optimized learning outcomes in spatial design education.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1882spatial thinkingaugmented realityspatial visualizationdesign educationbehavioral observationeye-tracking
spellingShingle Ju Yeon Kim
Jin Kyung Choi
Effects of AR on Cognitive Processes: An Experimental Study on Object Manipulation, Eye-Tracking, and Behavior Observation in Design Education
Sensors
spatial thinking
augmented reality
spatial visualization
design education
behavioral observation
eye-tracking
title Effects of AR on Cognitive Processes: An Experimental Study on Object Manipulation, Eye-Tracking, and Behavior Observation in Design Education
title_full Effects of AR on Cognitive Processes: An Experimental Study on Object Manipulation, Eye-Tracking, and Behavior Observation in Design Education
title_fullStr Effects of AR on Cognitive Processes: An Experimental Study on Object Manipulation, Eye-Tracking, and Behavior Observation in Design Education
title_full_unstemmed Effects of AR on Cognitive Processes: An Experimental Study on Object Manipulation, Eye-Tracking, and Behavior Observation in Design Education
title_short Effects of AR on Cognitive Processes: An Experimental Study on Object Manipulation, Eye-Tracking, and Behavior Observation in Design Education
title_sort effects of ar on cognitive processes an experimental study on object manipulation eye tracking and behavior observation in design education
topic spatial thinking
augmented reality
spatial visualization
design education
behavioral observation
eye-tracking
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1882
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AT jinkyungchoi effectsofaroncognitiveprocessesanexperimentalstudyonobjectmanipulationeyetrackingandbehaviorobservationindesigneducation