title: Map-mediated dialogues: effects of map orientation differences and shared reference points on map location-finding speed and accuracy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects of individual differences in map orientation on a location-finding dyadic team task were examined in a controlled experimental setting.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Research on maps has been mainly directed at individuals navigating with cartographic maps. An important question remains about how to present information about others' locations to distributed team members.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a repeated-measures factorial design, distributed dyad members had to reach a shared understanding through map-mediated human-to-human dialogues about specific preset locations on digitized maps. Maps were rotated independently to different degrees, which produced alignment differences of various magnitudes between both members. Some of these maps were complemented with additional geospatial information (i.e., landmarks, compass rose, and map grid) to provide for shared reference points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dyads using maps with identical orientations for both members performed the task more accurately than dyads using maps that varied in orientation between dyad members.The addition of geospatial information to maps providing for shared reference points helped the teamwork. Distributed dyads using maps that vary in orientation between dyad members benefit more from shared reference points than dyads using maps with orientations that are identical for both members.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that shared reference points help distributed dyads using maps that vary in orientation between dyad members to perform as well as dyads using maps with identical alignment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article shows how to provide support for team coordination in distributed settings and facilitates the development of groupware to support distributed teamwork.
authors.affiliation: TNO Defence, Security and Safety, Business Unit Human Factors, Kampweg 5, P.O. Box 23, 3769 ZG Soesterberg, Netherlands. rick.vanderkleij@tno.nl
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van der Kleij
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: te Brake
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009949:Orientation; D012106:Research; D012931:Social Environment; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis