User-Centered Iterative Design of a Collaborative Virtual Environment

Most tasks that are desirable to train in a virtual environment are not tasks that we do alone, but rather are executed collaboratively with one or more team members. Yet little is known about how to construct virtual environment training systems that support collaborative behavior. The purpose of this thesis was to explore methodologies for developing collaborative virtual environments for training. Our approach centered on analyzing task or training specific requirements for the simulation environment. We applied user-centered design techniques to analyze the cognitive processes of collaborative way finding to develop interface design guidelines. We utilized the results of our analysis to propose a general model of collaborative way finding. This model emphasizes team collaboration and interaction in problem solving and decision- making. We tested the model in the field, using cognitive task analysis methods to study land navigators. This study was intended to validate the use of user- centered design methodologies for the design of collaborative virtual environments. Our findings provide information useful to design, ranging from model enhancement to interface development. We have explored the cognitive aspects of collaborative human way finding and design for collaborative virtual environments. Further investigation of design paradigms should include cognitive task analysis and behavioral task analysis.Naval Postgraduate School Monterey CA is the author of 'User-Centered Iterative Design of a Collaborative Virtual Environment', published 2001 under ISBN 9781423529002 and ISBN 1423529006.