Gaze and conversational engagement in multiparty video conversation: an annotation scheme and classification of high and low levels of engagement

Abstract

When using a multiparty video mediated system, interacting participants assume a range of various roles and exhibit behaviors according to how engaged in the communication they are. In this paper we focus on estimation of conversational engagement from gaze signal. In particular, we present an annotation scheme for conversational engagement, a statistical analysis of gaze behavior across varying levels of engagement, and we classify vectors of computed eye tracking measures. The results show that in 74% of cases the level of engagement can be correctly classified into either high or low level. In addition, we describe the nuances of gaze during distinct levels of engagement.