Impact of Learning Methods on Spatial Knowledge Acquisition

Abstract

Research on the acquisition of spatial knowledge not only enriches our understanding of the theory of spatial knowledge representation but also creates practical value for the application of spatial knowledge. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of different learning methods on the acquisition of spatial knowledge, including the role of 2D maps, the difference between physical interaction and virtual interaction, and whether passive learning can replace active learning in virtual environments. One experiment was conducted, in which landmark knowledge and configurational knowledge were measured. Results indicate that 2D maps play a supporting role in acquiring both landmark knowledge and configurational knowledge. In addition, physical learning was associated with better spatial knowledge representation compared with virtual learning. An analysis of observational data in the third comparison found no significant difference between passive learning and active learning using virtual street view maps. However, with high-quality learning materials, passive learning can contribute to the acquisition of spatial knowledge more efficiently than active learning.

Scene Walk: a non-photorealistic viewing tool for first-person video

“…Other recent research has taken a different emphasis, using immersive virtual reality to simulate and evaluate improved design for wayfinding. However, it is still unclear whether immersive VR will be effective for that purpose (Kuliga et al 2020), or even that common navigational tools such as street view visualisations offer measurable benefits over conventional maps (Qiu et al 2020).…”

“…Many previous experimental investigations of cognitive maps have involved wayfinding tasks in which the spatial context is presented in several different modalities, in order to compare the relative advantages of those modalities for constructing cognitive maps. In previous research as reviewed earlier in this paper, alternative modalities have included paper maps (Thorndyke and Hayes-Roth 1982), sketch maps (Tversky 1993), photographs with verbal description of a route (Witmer et al 1996), desktop "virtual environments" (non-immersive 3D scene renderings) (Ruddle et al 1997), immersive VR headsets (Ruddle et al 1999), Google Street View renderings (Qiu et al 2020), immersive VR with a walking interface (Ruddle and Lessels 2009) and physical experience in the real world (Kuliga et al 2020).…”

Active and passive exploration for spatial knowledge acquisition: A meta-analysis

“…Prior to the analysis, we identified outlying effect sizes following the criterion proposed by Tabachnick and Fidell (2007). Three values were found to fall outside of the scope of 3.29 standard deviations away from the mean, including two effect sizes from Qiu et al (2020) and another from Von Stülpnagel and Steffens (2013). Separate analyses using data with and without the outliers yielded different findings in terms of significant moderators.…”

“…Similarly, outliers were detected based on whether they reside inside 3.29 standard deviations from the mean Cook's distance. After calculating individual Cook's distances for every effect size, two values were identified as particularly influential: one from Qiu et al (2020) and the other from Von Stülpnagel and Steffens (2013). Leaving each one out and fitting multi-level models with subsets of data yielded similar results, with the estimated d both being 0.34 and none of the CIs including zero.…”

The effect of sound environment on spatial knowledge acquisition in a virtual outpatient polyclinic

“…Wayfinding refers to the performance of finding a way in addition to orientation behavior in unfamiliar spaces. During wayfinding, one acquires spatial knowledge of the environment, stores it, forms a "cognitive map" of the environment, and finds ways based on it (Qiu et al, 2020). During a typical wayfinding task, there are some steps that people follow consciously or unconsciously, such as orienting themselves, finding some clues, relating these clues to places, etc.…”