Training and assessing perspective taking through A Hole New Perspective

Abstract

In recent years, the use of Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) has taken a larger role within training and education of various fields, but not every individual experiences the benefits that AR and VR technology are thought to provide. The perspective taking skill of an individual may be a good indicator of the effectiveness that AR and VR training can achieve. However, we found that the tests in other research targeting small scale perspective taking are few and limited, as perspective taking is often hard to distinguish from mental rotation. Therefore, we designed and developed A Hole New Perspective, a serious game created specifically to test and train an individual's perspectivetaking ability. A Hole New Perspective focuses on the relationship between a 3D object floating in the air and a 2D hole on a moving wall. The core game mechanics consists of having the player rotate the object so that it fits in the hole, before the wall hits the object. Because players do not always have an aligned view with the hole, they have to call on their spatial perspective-taking abilities, in addition to mental rotation. We tested the game with a variety of test subjects, and compared these test results with the Perspective Taking/Spatial Orientation Test. Early results have shown that performance in the game corresponds to mental rotation ability. Furthermore, there are indications that improvement in spatial ability through the game is selectively present for those with lower spatial abilities. This further substantiates the need for a more individualized approach when offering AR and VR in education. Additional training may be needed for some, but not all students.

Evaluating the Difference in Gaze Patterns for 360° Video-Based and 3D Modeled Virtual Environments

“…However, one of the concerns of virtual and remote experiences is the idea of limited engagement within the environment, this can be increased by using high-immersion virtual experiences (Olmos-Raya et al 2018). In addition, VR users with different levels of PT have different engagement styles, with researchers suggesting that perspective-taking skill is a factor in engaging and effective VR training experiences (Band et al 2022). Given this, future research may bene t from further exploration into PT capabilities and users' visual attention in VR.…”