Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
The naive search, as Darken and Sibert note, is rare in the real world, but common with first-
time users of a virtual space. Naive search will therefore rely on certain wayfinding aids to
support their movement through the virtual world. Darken and Sibert (1996, p. 4) proposed
that the basic principles of organizing an environment to support wayfinding were to:
1. divide the large-scale world into small, distinct small parts, preserving a sense of
'place';
2. organize the small parts under a simple organizational principle; and
3. provide frequent directional cues.
This stage of the evaluation process will have as its goal the determination of what users need
to know or understand about SPACE (general information about the 'area' being studied)
and PLACE (dictated/determined by location and purpose-specific elements that are unique
to the particular user and their usage requirements). What needed to be resolved were:
users' concepts of space;
their concept of place;
how they navigate through space; and
how they navigate through their personal place.
Twenty-nine candidates participated in the evaluation. The age range was 18-25 and all had
competent to efficient map use skills. The test candidates were split into two groups: group
1, identified as having
a priori
knowledge of the area. Twelve candidates were identified
as belonging to this group. Group 2 had relatively no knowledge of the area. Secenteen
candidates belonged to this group. Then each of these groups was further split into two
sub-groups: groups 1a and 1b, and groups 2a and 2b.
The candidates first completed a profile proforma to glean information about their pro-
ficiency in map and map-related tool use and also their perceived knowledge of the area.
The session operated thus:
1. Groups 1a and 2a were taken on a 'guided tour' of the area.
2. During this time Groups 1b and 2b undertook the evaluation/feedback of the VRML
model.
GROUP
1. Local knowledge
2. No local knowledge
1a Tour 1
1b Tour 2
2a Tour
2b Tour 2
Figure 6.20
Groups
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