Use of virtual environments to acquire spatial understanding of real-world multi-level environments

This article outlines experimental work investigating the way that people encode vertical as well as horizontal spatial information from exploration of virtual environments (VEs). We present two studies using simple multi level VEs that provide novel evidence for a vertical asymmetry in spatial memory, where downward spatial judgments are more accurate than upward spatial judgements. The effect was found in able-bodied adults and children, and in physically disabled children. A third study examined transfer of spatial learning from a VE to a real-world equivalent environment using a simulation of a multi-level complex shopping centre with elderly participants. This study confirms the potential of VEs as training media for the elderly.