Simulated Site Visits: an Environmental Learning Strategy for Older People.

Abstract

This study sought to determine how effectively a simulated site visit could provide an older person with a working knowledge of an unknown building. The need for such research is related to the relocation of older people. To help mitigate the negative effects of such a move, a preparation program has been developed which advocates taking residents on visits to the new building prior to relocation. Although beneficial, the site visits have caused implementation problems. A simulation procedure could help solve the problems by essentially bringing the building to the residents. The simulation technique was based on mental image research. It was composed of a model of the building and a series of sequential slides. The model provided information concerning spatial relationships and the slides provided identification information and the sequential experience of walking through the building. To evaluate the simulation technique, a field experiment was conducted. The sample was r and omly divided into three groups: simulation group; site visit group; and control group. The simulation and site visit groups were exposed to the same parts of the building and in the same order. However, one group saw the simulation and the other saw the actual building. The control group received no exposure to the building prior to testing. A person's working knowledge was operationally defined by assessing the following: confidence in way-finding ability; the mental image of the building; and way-finding ability in the building. The evaluation revealed the simulation technique to be quite successful. Both the mental images and the way-finding performance of the simulation group were superior to the site visit group. Both groups were able to find places that were along the route presented to them. However, the simulation group was more successful in designing their own routes to desired locations--even in unknown areas of the building. This was shown to be the result of a well developed mental image. Thus, this study has demonstrated that the working knowledge provided by the simulation technique was actually more useful than that provided by actual visits to the building itself.