The use of virtual reality (VR) is expanding within the AEC sectors, commonly in design and pre-construction decision-making, including as a tool to test and predict the behaviours of building occupants. The implicit assumption is the experience of an immersive Virtual Reality Environment is representative of the Real Environment, and understanding this prior to construction reduces the likelihood and significance of design errors. However, there are very few studies that have validated this basic assumption, and even fewer that have made a direct comparison between Virtual and Real building use. One behaviour that influences design is wayfinding, and the acknowledged effect of familiarity with the layout of a building, which is the subject of this study. We produced an accurate immersive VR model of part of an existing University building and asked participating students to complete a wayfinding task in both the Real and VR buildings. The results show a quantitative improvement in the route and time taken to complete the task, but highlight differences in behaviours in each environment, including subtleties of head movement, a tendency to experiment and seek amusement, and a range of responses to the technology from enjoyment to suspicion. Further research is required to explore in more detail the effect of VR technologies on participants’ behaviour, and the limitations and potentials of VR as a decision-making tool beyond the example of wayfinding that we use. In conclusion, we need to adopt a cautious approach when designing by VR and recognise that the results of experiments such as ours should complement design decisions, rather than act as their sole justification.
Applied the Ayres scale to the writing of all grammar and elementary school children of a small city school system, to determine the age, grade, and school variations in legibility of handwriting. The Ss were required to copy a typewritten sentence given at the top of regular writing period slips of paper. Thea Ayres scale has been described in detail. Grades on the scale represented 8 equal steps. 966 specimens from the 1st to the 8th grades, ages ranging from 6 to 17 yrs, were secured. Results showed the greatest progress between the 6 and 7 yr olds. Returns from 6 elementary school showed that the instruction in handwriting was fairly uniform. It was evident that a single judge could apply the scale with a fair degree of consistency.
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