Bakdash, J.Z. – VEMI Lab /vemi University of Maine Wed, 29 Mar 2017 15:07:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 Spatial learning and navigation using a virtual verbal display /vemi/publication/spatial-learning-navigation-using-virtual-verbal-display/ Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:00:30 +0000 /vemi/?post_type=publication&p=1091 Abstract: We report on three experiments that investigate the efficacy of a new type of interface called a virtual verbal display (VVD) for nonvisual learning and navigation of virtual environments (VEs). Although verbal information has been studied for routeguidance, little is known about the use of context-sensitive, speech-based displays (e.g., the VVD) for supporting free exploration and wayfinding behavior. During training, participants used the VVD (Experiments I and II) or a visual display (Experiment III) to search the VEs and find four hidden target locations. At test, all participants performed a route-finding task in the corresponding real environment, navigating with vision (Experiments I and III) or from verbal descriptions (Experiment II). Training performance between virtual display modes was comparable, but wayfinding in the real environment was worse after VVD learning than visual learning, regardless of the testing modality. Our results support the efficacy of the VVD for searching computer-based environments but indicate a difference in the cognitive maps built up between verbal and visual learning, perhaps due to lack of physical movement in the VVD.

Citation: Giudice, N.A., Bakdash, J.Z., Legge, G.E., & Roy, R. (2010). Spatial learning and navigation using a virtual verbal display. ACM Transactions on Applied Perception, 7(1), 3:1-3:22 (Article 3).

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]]> Wayfinding with words: Spatial learning and navigation using dynamically-updated verbal descriptions /vemi/publication/wayfinding-words-spatial-learning-navigation-using-dynamically-updated-verbal-descriptions/ Tue, 01 May 2007 16:00:04 +0000 /vemi/?post_type=publication&p=1114 Abstract: This work investigates whether large-scale indoor layouts can be learned and navigated nonvisually, using verbal descriptions of layout geometry that are updated, e.g. contingent on a participant’s location in a building. In previous research, verbal information has been used to facilitate route following, not to support free exploration and wayfinding. Our results with blindfolded-sighted participants demonstrate that accurate learning and wayfinding performance is possible using verbal descriptions and that it is sufficient to describe only local geometric detail. In addition, no differences in learning or navigation performance were observed between the verbal study and a control study using visual input. Verbal learning was also compared to the performance of a random walk model, demonstrating that human search behavior is not based on chance decision-making. However, the model performed more like human participants after adding a constraint that biased it against reversing direction.

Citation: Giudice, N.A., Bakdash, J.Z., & Legge, G.E. (2007). Wayfinding with words: Spatial learning and navigation using dynamically-updated verbal descriptions. Psychological Research, 71(3), 347-58.

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