Team Quintessence
Better lecture formats to improve attention
Sophia Hasbach
Dennis Huber
Daniel Frey
Saskia Hutschenreiter
Jonas Papazoglou-Hennig
Simon Gandorfer
Tutor
Sebastian Kaltenbach
Supervisors
Prof. Dr. Hans Förstl
Dr. Susanne Witzgall
Abstract
Attention represents a complex function that is relevant to a multitude of human activities. However, while a lot of research on attention has already been conducted, relatively few studies have focused on university students.
Thus, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of distinct break concepts and durations on the individually perceived attentiveness of university students in lecture contexts. Thereby, a comprehensive approach involving the capture of students’ subjective perceptions via a questionnaire and the measurement of several environmental parameters was taken.
We found that breaks, which may or may not involve physical activity, appeared to improve students’ individually perceived attentiveness significantly, while longer breaks did not show stronger effects than shorter ones. On the other hand, the magnitude of these effects showed to be context-specific and influenced by diverging environmental conditions. Consequently, despite the necessity of additional research, this analysis contributes to an enhanced understanding of attentiveness in a university context.

AT TUMJA I learned a lot of valuable lessons about scientific work and working in a team that I am sure will stay with me for a long time.
I truly appreciate that I was given the opportunity to establish a fascinating and sustainable project together with a group of awesome people.
Realizing and evaluating a study has been an exciting journey. I acquired new knowledge and skills, espceially in project management and academic writing.
Growing from an idea to a scientific work in great demand – I appreciate every second at TUMJA, all the opportunities gained and most of all my team mates.
Working on a project that is based on research and held to a scientific standard has been an invaluable and extremely rewarding experience.
I enjoyed the broad mixture of tasks: Fixing our goals and the research question, followed by two case studies, the implementation of the project and its analysis.