Is Spatial Memory Better Trained in Augmented or Virtual Reality?

Nicko Reginio Caluya ( 1651204 )

Work space simulations help trainees acquire skills necessary to perform their tasks efficiently without disrupting the workflow, forgetting important steps during a procedure, or the location of important information. This training can be conducted in Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR, VR) to enhance its effectiveness and speed. When the skills are transferred to the actual application, it is referred to as positive training transfer.

However, thus far, it is unclear which training, AR or VR, achieves better results in terms of positive training transfer. To compare the effectiveness of AR and VR for spatial memory training in a control-room scenario, users were asked to memorize the location of buttons and information displays in their surroundings. A within-subject study with 16 participants was conducted, followed by an evaluation of the impact the training had on short-term and long-term memory.

Results of this study show that VR outperformed AR when tested in the same medium after the training. In a memory transfer test conducted two days later AR outperformed VR. The findings from this study have implications on the design of future training scenarios and applications.