Stefan Münzer & Hubert D. Zimmer:
Computer Assisted Navigation As a Spatial
Communication Task
Abstract
Computer assisted navigation means to communicate spatial knowledge for purposes
of wayfinding and orientation. Since information presentation on computers
lacks dialogue mechanisms by which human partners agree on common ground,
communication problems are likely to occur. Partly, those problems can be
avoided by anticipating human visuo-spatial information processing constraints
in different situations, as well as considering inter-individual differences.
The research described here focuses on spatial learning that is needed to
orient oneself in a real environment. Results demonstrate that map learning
and route learning profit from pictorial and "analogous" presentation formats,
while mental spatial transformations are more difficult to support. Empirical
findings are related to a "passive" vs. "active" task distinction for visuo-spatial
working memory. Consequences for the design of navigation assistance systems
and further developments for human-computer spatial dialogue are discussed.
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