title: Identification of metaphors for virtual environment training systems.
abstract: The objective of this effort was to develop potential metaphors for assisting wayfinding and navigation in current virtual environment (VE) training systems. Although VE purports a number of advantages over traditional, full-scale simulator training devices (deployability, footprint, cost, maintainability, scalability, networking), little design guidance exists beyond individual instantiations with specific platforms. A review of metaphors commonly incorporated into human-computer interactive systems indicated that existing metaphors have largely been used as orientation aids, mainly in the form of guided navigational assistance, with some position guidance. Advanced metaphor design concepts were identified that would not only provide trainees with a useful orienting framework but also enhance visual access and help differentiate an environment. The effectiveness of these concepts to aid navigation and wayfinding in VEs must be empirically validated.
authors.affiliation: Industrial Engineering and Management Systems Department, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando 32816-2450, USA. stanney@mail.ucf.edu
authors.forename: Kay M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Stanney
authors.forename: Jui Lin
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Branka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wedell
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Breaux
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D003200:Computer User Training / Q000379:methods*; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D019365:Metaphor; D013598:Systems Theory; D014584:User-Computer Interface