Students' Attention Classification During Class Lecture Using BCI and Machine Learning: A Pathway Towards Neurofeedback-Based Learning
F. Ishtiaque, E. B. Motahar, M. S. R. Sajal, M. A. Amin, F. Sarker, K. A. Mamun
IEEE 15th International Conference on Software, Knowledge, Information Management and Applications (SKIMA)
IEEE, pp. 1-6
Abstract
Students' effective learning during a class depends on their level of attention to the lecture. Students who tend to be more attentive during class lectures are more likely to perform better. However, day-by-day more and more students are failing to be attentive in class and their attention span has become lower than ever before. By using students' attention in class an automatic Brain Computer Interface (BCI) based self-feedback system might become revolutionary in education and learning. But separating inattentive students from attentive students using BCI is a problem in itself. In this study, we designed an experiment to classify between attentive students and inattentive students using BCI with machine learning and utilizing brain-to-brain synchronization theory. We designed an experiment where we collected EEG data from 9 students and 1 teacher during a class lecture. During the lecture, the students were asked to fill out three types of questionnaires which separated them into three attention groups. After pre-processing the data, 473 features were extracted and 50 were selected using recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE). Finally, the data were classified using SVM and 80.64% accuracy was achieved between the attentive and inattentive groups. The outcome is a huge leap forward to build the world's first neurofeedback-based learning system.
Keywords
- Support vector machine
- brain-computer interface
- EEG
- recursive feature elimination
- lecture attendance
- Attention span
References
- 1.A. Grinsted, J. C. Moore, S. Jevrejeva. (2004). Application of the cross wavelet transform and wavelet coherence to geophysical time series. Nonlinear processes in geophysics, 11(5/6), 561–566[10.5194/npg-11-561-2004]
- 2.Jean-Philippe Lachaux, Eugenio Rodriguez, Jacques Martinerie, Francisco J. Varela. (1999). Measuring phase synchrony in brain signals. Human Brain Mapping, 8(4), 194–208[10.1002/(sici)1097-0193(1999)8:4<194::aid-hbm4>3.0.co;2-c]
- 3.Ulman Lindenberger, Shu-Chen Li, Walter Gruber, Viktor Müller. (2009). Brains swinging in concert: cortical phase synchronization while playing guitar. BMC Neuroscience, 10(1), 22[10.1186/1471-2202-10-22]
- 4.Kshitij Sharma, Michail Giannakos, Pierre Dillenbourg. (2020). Eye-tracking and artificial intelligence to enhance motivation and learning. Smart Learning Environments, 7(1)[10.1186/s40561-020-00122-x]
- 5.Alyssa Wise, Yuting Zhao, Simone Hausknecht. (2014). Learning Analytics for Online Discussions: Embedded and Extracted Approaches. Journal of Learning Analytics, 1(2), 48–71[10.18608/jla.2014.12.4]
- 6.Abeer Al-Nafjan, Mashael Aldayel. (2022). Predict Students’ Attention in Online Learning Using EEG Data. Sustainability, 14(11), 6553[10.3390/su14116553]
- 7.Marco Porta, Stefania Ricotti, Calet Jimenez Perez. (2012). Emotional e-learning through eye tracking. , 1–6[10.1109/educon.2012.6201145]
- 8.Ashvaany Egambaram, Nasreen Badruddin, Vijanth S. Asirvadam, Tahamina Begum, Eric Fauvet, Christophe Stolz. (2019). FastEMD–CCA algorithm for unsupervised and fast removal of eyeblink artifacts from electroencephalogram. Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, 57, 101692[10.1016/j.bspc.2019.101692]
- 9.Ms. Sonika Lamba. (2014). Impact of Teaching Time on Attention and Concentration. IOSR Journal of Nursing and health Science, 3(4), 01–04[10.9790/1959-03410104]
- 10.Chaitanya Sethi, Harsh Dabas, Chirag Dua, Mohit Dalawat, Divyashikha Sethia. (2018). EEG-Based Attention Feedback to Improve Focus in E-Learning. Proceedings of the 2018 2nd International Conference on Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, 321–326[10.1145/3297156.3297157]
- 11.Prima Dewi Purnamasari, Tsalsabilla Winny Junika. (2019). Frequency-based EEG Human Concentration Detection System Methods with SVM Classification. , 29–34[10.1109/cyberneticscom.2019.8875677]
- 12.Ilham A.E. Zaeni, Utomo Pujianto, Agusta R. Taufani, Mahfud Jiono, Pradareza S.T. Muhammad. (2019). Concentration Level Detection Using EEG Signal on Reading Practice Application. , 354–357[10.1109/iceeie47180.2019.8981453]
- 13.Khondaker A. Mamun, Catriona M. Steele, Tom Chau. (2015). Swallowing accelerometry signal feature variations with sensor displacement. Medical Engineering & Physics, 37(7), 665–673[10.1016/j.medengphy.2015.04.007]
- 14.Farhan Ishtiaque, Fazla Rabbi Mashrur, Mohammad Tohidul Islam Miya, Khandoker Mahmudur Rahman, Ravi Vaidyanathan, Syed Ferhat Anwar, Farhana Sarker, Khondaker A. Mamun. (2023). AI-based Consumers' Preference Prediction Using a Research-grade BCI and a Commercial-grade BCI for Neuromarketing: A Systematic Comparison. , 1–6[10.1109/ecce57851.2023.10101563]
- 15.Radmila Milovanovic. (2017). Attention as a factor in the school performance of adolescents. Zbornik radova Filozofskog fakulteta u Pristini(47-3), 275–301[10.5937/zrffp47-14869]
Cited By
- 1.Teddy Marcus Zakaria, Armein Zainal R. Langi, Muhamad Sophian Nazaruddin, Isa Anshori. (2025). Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Neurofeedback Therapy Using Electroencephalography (EEG), Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR): A Review. IEEE Access, 13, 133078–133112[10.1109/access.2025.3582805]
- 2.Ziqi Pan, Alexandra I. Cristea. (2024). Towards Neuro-Enhanced Education: A Systematic Review of BCI-Assisted Development for Non-academic Skills and Abilities. Lecture notes in computer science, 49–66[10.1007/978-3-031-63031-6_5]
- 3.Yurdagül Doğuş, Sena Alptekin. (2025). Looking at the Reform of the Century of Türkiye Education Model through the Lens of Synchronization Theory by Wearing Phenomenological Glasses. Sakarya University Journal of Education, 15(2), 173–193[10.19126/suje.1667279]
