GIS Seminar: Virtual Environments

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Date/Time:Monday, 21 Feb 2011 from 12:10 pm to 1:00 pm
Location:GIS Lab, 526 College of Design
Cost:free
Contact:Monica Haddad
Phone:515-294-8979
Channel:College of Design
Categories:Lectures
Actions:Download iCal/vCal | Email Reminder
"Here, There, or in the Air: Issues with Perceptions of Space, Place, and Embodiment in Virtual Environments." Brian Mennecke, ISU management information systems, will discuss the role of geographic thinking and spatial relationships in virtual worlds and what we can learn about spatial analysis, spatial cognition and perceptions of self and others. Part of the GIS Seminar Series.

In this presentation Mennecke will discuss the role of embodiment, place and space in virtual worlds and other social media. When most people discuss GIS, the tendency is to consider these systems as being tools for examining real-world geographic problems. Mennecke will discuss the role of geographic thinking and spatial relationships in virtual worlds and what we can learn about spatial analysis, spatial cognition, and perceptions of self and others. He will present a theory he has introduced, Embodied Social Presence (ESP) Theory, which is a framework that helps to account for a higher level of perceptual engagement that users experience as they engage in activity-based social interaction in virtual environments. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the potential research opportunities for those interested in spatial analysis and thinking in online media such as virtual worlds and other web venues.

The GIS Seminar Series is sponsored by the Community and Regional Planning Program. It is free and open to the public.