In some situations also electroencephalographic activity (EEG) and event related potential (ERP) are recorded to track the cognitive processes involved during learning. Brain ERP potentials analysis might be used fruitfully for assessing the cognitive activity of a user. In particular, the endogenic components of these ERP have been shown to estimate the attentional level and the semantic processes engaged in information processing. However, until now they have been used only in strictly controlled experimental situations in order to prevent any eye movements contamining the data.

The acquisition software records both eye movements and any interaction of the subject with the computer, such as mouse click and navigation. Then, the software reconstructs the 2D trajectory of the eyes on the display (scanpath). For each page it is possible to define regions of interest, that is the specific parts of the document that can provide detailed information on the allocation and shift of subjects’ visual attention. Then the SW computes a number of quantitative parameters.