Map Spatial Cognition, Eye Movement Research

The flat map is an abstract expression of geographical space, while the maps that presented in actual satellite photography can express spatial distribution from a bird's-eye view accuratelly. This research is devoted to investigate the influence of spatial abilities and the ways of map expression on map learning, with the help of eye-tracker. The campus maps in this study are intersected from googel map. Our experimental research includes two experiments. In the first experiment, learners were asked to accomplish an easy positioning task under a fixed spatial location, and in the second experiment, learners were asked to accomplish a difficult positioning task under a changed spatial location. All these two experiments adopte 2x2 mixed experimental design, in which independent variables include spatial abilities (high, low) and the ways of map expression(flat map, satellite photography map), dependent variables included accuracy rate of positioning and eye movement indicator, such as fixation duration and fixation times.Results:(1) In the easy positioning task, the subjects with high spatial abilities have a significant higher accuracy rate than the lower ones, and there is no significant discrepancy in accuracy rate between flat map and satellite photography map. In terms of fixation duration, the spatial abilities have remarkable main effect wlile the ways of map expression are not, the subjects with high spatial abilities have a significant shorter time than the lower ones. In terms of fixation times, both the spatial abilities and the ways of map expression have no main effect. (2) In the difficult positioning task, the subjects with high spatial abilities have a significant higher accuracy rate than the lower ones. There is no significant discrepancy in accuracy rate between flat map and satellite photography map. The spatial abilities have remarkable main effect in fixation duration of total positioning, fixation duration of finding the exact position fisrt time, fixation duration of repositioning, fixation duration, fixation times, and regression times of signal areas, the subjects with high spatial abilities have a good performence than the lower ones. the ways of map expression have remarkable main effect in fixation duration of total positioning, fixation durationof finding the exact position fisrt time, fixation duration of signal areas, the ratio of fixation duration of signal areas and total positioning fixation duration. The subjects have a good performence after learning the satellite map than the flat map. In terms of fixation duration of repositioning, the interaction between spatial abilities and the ways of map expression is remarkable, the subjects with low spatial abilities have a shorter fixation duration in positioning task after learning the satellite map than the flat map.Conclusions:(1) The geospatial cognitive procession on maps is influnenced by spatial abilities. The higher the spatial ability is, the more powerful a mental sapce based on map is. (2) The ways of map expression influences the geospatial cognitive procession on maps. The satellite map is good than the flat map in help subject establishing powerful mental space. (3) The satellite map can give more help to subjects those who with low spatial abilities in geospatial cognitive procession on maps than subjects those who with high spatial abilities.