An Audio and Haptic Feedback-Based Virtual Environment Spatial Navigation Learning Tool

Abstract

In this research, we developed a serious game prototype for the visually impaired children in learning spatial navigation skills in a virtual environment. By providing audio and haptic feedback, the game, 'Hungry Cat', helps the players to gain spatial information about the virtual rooms while exploring various game levels. Two evaluations were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the learning tool. The first test was the food finding test which required the participants to locate food within the game level they have just explored. The second was the wire net test which allowed the participants to demonstrate their spatial mental map of the room. The performance of different groups of the visually impaired children such as between low vision and no vision, and with learning difficulty and without learning difficulty are also compared. Results showed that the visually impaired children are able to construct a spatial mental map of the virtual rooms after attempting all the levels in the game.