Information Acquisition and Recall in Location-Aware and Search Engine Retrieval Systems

This paper examines the potential cognitive impact of location aware information systems compared to that of search engines using a dual coding and conjoint retention theoretical framework. Supported by virtual reality or mobile devices, location aware systems deliver information that is relevant for a specific location. Research questions and hypotheses formulated under the assumption that location aware systems are better prepared to contextualize and make information memorable are explored using a planned comparison repeated measures 3 (2 treatment; 1 control) x 3 (pre-test, post-test, one week post-test) design. The results indicate that information acquisition in location-aware systems is just as powerful as that facilitated by search engines and that information recall (after 1 week) of facts is superior when using location-aware systems. The findings reinforce and extend dual coding theory suggesting that spatial and three-dimensional indexing can be one of the channels used in indexing and recalling information. The results also indicate that location-aware applications are a promising technology for distributing information in general and for learning in particular.