Solving a problem by students with different mathematical abilities: A comparative study using eye-tracking

The main purpose of this study is to compare the problem solving processes of mathematically gifted and underperforming students by utilizing eye-tracking methodologies. We have found the following differentiators between the groups: (a) time of the analysis of the problem's wording, (b) the number and placement of fixations, (c) the number of fixations while analysing the text of the problem. We also prove that total amount of time of solving a problem is not an important differentiating parameter; speed is not a characteristic of mathematically gifted students.