If confusion over the control s function is a problem, changing the graphic or text label may be appropriate. If distraction is a problem, decreasing the salience of some elements may be required. Without knowing the answers to these questions, design recommendations have to be implemented by trial and error, adding to development time and cost. Recording the movements of participants' eyes during task performance can offer additional information that may help us answer these kinds of questions and reduce trial and error in user interaction design. A scan path from one participant using a menu in a software application.
Dots represent fixations.
Connecting lines represent saccadic eye movements between fixations. Image courtesy of Richard Young. Only recently has eye tracking technology advanced to make it practical in the broader usability community. The overflow of workshop applications demonstrates the excitement in this topic. We selected participants based on interest and familiarity with the issues as well as on potential for innovative contributions and timely submission of applications.