Full Reflection - Kyle

Seeing an eye-tracking setup in action was an eye-opening experience. I was particularly struck by how small and compact the eye trackers were, which shifted my perspective entirely. As I've only previously used bulkier or older variants, it was fascinating to realize that such advanced technology can be both portable and precise. By observing the setup, calibration, and live tracking gave me a new appreciation for the sophistication behind modern eye-tracking research.

One key insight I gained was how sensitive these devices are to even the smallest movements. It was surprising to see how a subtle head tilt or shift could affect the data, highlighting the importance of careful calibration and attention to detail. This made me appreciate the technical skill and patience required to obtain reliable results and reinforced my respect for researchers who work with these tools. It also made me reflect on how precision in methodology is just as important as the theoretical questions guiding a study.

This experience contributes directly to my research journey, particularly for my FYP investigating the influence of musical expertise on multisensory integration and reaction time. Eye-tracking could offer a valuable way to study attentional control and visual processing during music notation mapping tasks. In future studies, I hope to explore whether eye-tracking can help identify strategies to improve sight-reading training for musicians by examining gaze patterns and attentional focus in real time. Overall, this visit deepened my understanding of cognitive research methods and inspired me to integrate technology-based measurement into my own experimental designs.