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Abstract. This study investigates the gaze patterns of undergraduate college students attending a lecture-based physical science class to better understand the relationships between gaze and focus patterns and student attention during class. The investigators used a new eye-tracking product; Tobii Glasses. The glasses eliminate the need for subjects to focus on a computer screen or carry around a backpack-sized recording device, thus giving an investigator the ability to study a broader range of research questions. This investigation includes what students focus on in the classroom (i.e. demonstrations, instructor, notes, board work, and presentations) during a normal lecture, what diverts attention away from being on task as well as what keeps a subject on task. We report on the findings from 8 subjects during physical science lectures designed for future elementary school teachers. We found that students tended not to focus on the instructor for most parts of the lecture but rather the information, particularly new information presented on PowerPoint slides. Finally, we found that location in the classroom also impacted students' attention spans due to more distractors.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed childhood neurobehavioral disorder, affecting approximately 5.5 million children, of which approximately 66% take ADHD medication daily. This study investigated a potential nonpharmaceutical alternative to address the academic engagement of 5 th through 11 th grade students (n = 10) diagnosed with ADHD. Participants were asked to play "brain games" for a minimum of 20 minutes each morning before school for 5 weeks. Engagement was measured at three points in time using electroencephalogram, parent and teacher reports, researcher observations, and participant self-reports. An analysis of the data supports the hypothesis that daily use of brain games can help strengthen focusing ability and executive functioning in adolescents with ADHD. The results provide hope for those searching for an alternative or supplement to medication as a means of helping students with ADHD engage in the classroom.

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