Our study primarily focuses on the use of navigational mapping and its relation to cognitive spatial ability. The research centers on data from an online survey which asks participants to complete tasks such as mental rotation, navigational skills questions, and current opinions, perceptions, and uses for navigational technology such as Google Maps. For example, one question might state “I am very good at judging distances.” This survey will then lead to phase two of the research where participants will complete tasks in a Virtual Reality (VR) system that will examine their knowledge and background of spatial cognition and mental rotation. As stated in a previous study by Blades and Spencer et al (1987) “The most consistent research with adults is that people often have difficulties using maps and often prefer to rely on other sources of information…”. Using this as reference and inspiration, the current research will center on understanding how young adults navigate in a simulated real-world setting. We plan to assess this by providing a route in the VR environment that includes, the following tasks: the participant following and remembering any specific land marks he/she passed, judging which building may have appeared taller than another, and/or at the completion of the VR route drawing the path taken and providing a location of what landmarks were passed and when. The results of the survey as well as the VR experiment studies will allow researchers to gain a better understanding of the role of technology in navigation and its role in spatial ability and cognition. Key Words: Navigation, Virtual Reality, route Authors: Steven Brown, Heather Vommoro ,John Campbell, Mason Patrick ,Benjamin Lorigan Advisers : Dr.Lum, Dr.Blasko
