Research has shown that older users consistently have more difficulty using computers than their younger counterparts. The Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML), commonly supported by popular Internet browsers, has been a major factor in opening up virtual reality (VR) technology to a wide range of users in an increasing range of application areas where three-dimensional virtual environments (VEs) are displayed on desktop PCs. These environments have consistently resulted in varying degrees of frustration when users try to navigate through them. Following a usability evaluation of commercially available three-dimensional browser interfaces, an experimental interface (equipped with various navigational tools) designed to address the usability issues identified was developed and evaluated. The statistical evaluation of the usability results show that, although performance improves consistently with the visual presentation of an increasing number of navigational aids, age has a significant effect on 3D navigation using desktop systems, with younger users consistently outperforming older users in terms of time taken to complete navigation tasks. This paper presents the main usability findings in relation to participants’ ages and outlines plans for the use of computational networks that emulate the brain’s learning function to produce an effective system to assist older users in the navigation process.
Download paper (Word document)