Abstract Preserving the “mental map” is a major goal of interactive graph drawing algorithms. Several models have been proposed for formalizing the notion of mental map. Additional work needs to be done to formulate and validate “difference” metrics which can be used in practice. This paper introduces a framework for defining and validating metrics to measure the difference between two drawings...

The design of automatic layout algorithms for single graphs is a well established field, and some recent studies show how these algorithms affect human understanding. By contrast, layout algorithms for graphs that change over time are relatively immature, and few studies exist to evaluate their effectiveness empirically. This paper presents two new dynamic graph layout algorithms and empirical ...

Researchers have long debated the mental representation of knowledge. The theories initially spawned by this debate were propositional theory, imagery theory, and dual-coding theory. Related research further suggests that knowledge encoding processes such as landmark-based and path-based learning may also affect these representations. Such theories form a basis from which cartographers can begi...

In order to validate suitable methods for investigating learning processes, we are currently conducting a case study, exploring the mental models of novice students in the field of object oriented modeling and programming. Until now we have asked the students of an introductory course of lessons to draw concept maps at three points of time. Additionally we conducted a small exam, where the stud...

People acquire spatial information from many sources, including maps, verbal descriptions, and navigating in the environment. The different sources present spatial information in different ways. For example, maps can show many spatial relations simultaneously, but in a description, each spatial relation must be presented sequentially. The present research investigated how these source differenc...

Although cognitive map is a popular metaphor for people's mental representations of environments, as it is typically conceived, it is often too restrictive. Two other metaphors for mental representations are proposed and supported, Cognitive collages are consistent with research demonstrating systematic errors in memory and judgment of environmental knowledge. Yet, for some simple or well-known...

INTRODUCTION GPS navigational system belongs to an application of Location Based Service(LBS). However, navigational information provided by the conventional GPS navigation system is not adequately intuitive to a user. Moreover, the environment often affects the accuracy of a hardware sensor in a GPS navigation system, so as to make users to frequently stay in a disorientation status during nav...