Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Physiological and Cognitive Aspects of Sound
Maps for Representing Quantitative Data
and Changes in Data
Jochen Schiewe
Introduction
Map graphics is without doubt the central form for presenting geospatial informa-
tion, as it ensures a space-saving and a geo-referenced display. However, other
coding formats like animations, videos or acoustic representations are conceivable
which can be combined to multimedia (better: multimodal) maps on demand.
With respect to the
acoustic coding of geospatial information
Edler et al. (
2013
)
give an overview of applications fields and specific functions of sounds. So far, only
a limited number of implementations (and with that, little experiences) can be
observed. Exceptions are for example the work by Krygier (
1993
; with the topic
of AIDS in the United States), Fisher (
1994
) or Lodha et al. (
1996
; the latter two
with the topic of data uncertainty) or Brauen (
2006
; elections in Canada). Focusing
even more on the acoustic coding of
quantitative
geospatial information—a topic
widely neglected in literature in the past (with exceptions like Bearman and Lovett
2010
; Lodha et al.
1999
)—several disadvantages become obvious: Because one or
many sounds should not be displayed all the time, an interactive release is necessary
and an actually simultaneous evaluation of multiple carriers of features (like
counties in a thematic map) is not possible. With that, the analysis of complex
patterns, anomalies, etc. becomes rather difficult, at least in comparison to the
visual counterpart method. And finally, the recognition of absolute values through
sound parameters like loudness or pitch is hardly possible for humans.
Despite of these disadvantages, there are several
arguments for using sound in
maps.
Besides the general motivational aspect of a new and additional coding
format as well as the proven improvement of an active learning process, a
multicodal representation follows the general idea of reducing the amount of
