Pedestrian Navigation with a Mobile Device: Strategy Use and Environmental Learning

This paper focuses on the strategies employed during a pedestrian navigation task with a mobile device, and the implications for environmental engagement and learning. Twenty-four participants completed a short navigation task using GPS enabled Google Maps on a smart phone. Analysis of verbal protocols and glance behaviour were combined to suggest three broad strategy groups that users fall into when navigating with a mobile device. The results have implications for both environmental learning, and the design of future systems that are sensitive to both context and individual.