Value by Design: Reducing Cognitive Load by Using Visual Guidance in Augmented Reality - An Eye-Tracking Study

Besides the positive effects of Augmented Reality (AR) on work and learning performance, research on its impact on cognitive load has generated ambiguous results. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of visual guidance in AR on cognitive load by highlighting essential virtual input depending on their necessity to the work and learning task. We developed an AR application and ran a training session in a learning factory by experimentally (N=55) investigating two AR applications, with or without visual guidance, compared to paper instructions using questionnaires and eye-tracking. Our data reveal that participants using AR with visual guidance perceived less cognitive load than those without visual guidance or paper instructions. Eye-tracking provides insights into cognitive load changes over three learning rounds, showing that visual guidance is beneficial, especially at the beginning of learning. Based on our findings, we recommend integrating visual guidance into AR work and learning applications, especially for novices.