Title
A theoretical model of wayfinding in virtual environments: Proposed strategies for navigational aiding
Abbreviated Journal Title
Presence-Teleoper. Virtual Env.
Keywords
SPATIAL ORIENTATION; COGNITIVE MAPS; ACQUISITION; KNOWLEDGE; DIVERSITY; AIDS; Computer Science, Cybernetics; Computer Science, Software Engineering
Abstract
This paper proposes a theoretical model of wayfinding that can be used to guide the design of navigational aiding in virtual environments. Based on an evaluation of wayfinding studies in natural environments, this model divides the wayfinding process into three main subprocesses: cognitive mapping, wayfinding plan development, and physical movement or navigation through an environment. While this general subdivision has been proposed before, the current model further delineates the wayfinding process, including the distinct influences of spatial information, spatial orientation, and spatial knowledge. The influences of experience, abilities, search strategies, motivation, and environmental layout on the wayfinding process are also considered. With this specification of the wayfinding process, a taxonomy of navigational tools is then proposed that can be used to systematically aid the specified wayfinding subprocesses. If effectively applied to the design of a virtual environment, the use of such tools should lead to reduced disorientation and enhanced wayfinding in large-scale virtual spaces. It is also suggested that, in some cases, this enhanced wayfinding performance may be at the expense of the acquisition of an accurate cognitive map of the virtual environment being traversed.
Journal Title
Presence-Teleoperators and Virtual Environments
Volume
8
Issue/Number
6
Publication Date
1-1-1999
Document Type
Article
Language
English
First Page
671
Last Page
685
WOS Identifier
ISSN
1054-7460
Recommended Citation
"A theoretical model of wayfinding in virtual environments: Proposed strategies for navigational aiding" (1999). Faculty Bibliography 1990s. 2579.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/facultybib1990/2579
Comments
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