Effects of sense of direction on Internet skill and cognitive maps of the Web

The relationship of sense of direction in the real world to Internet use, as well as to cognitive maps of the Internet, was investigated. In Study 1, 28 participants were asked to draw a sketch map of the Internet. They also completed a questionnaire containing scales for measuring Internet usage, knowledge, and skill, and completed the Sense of Direction Questionnaire (SDQ-S), which is composed of two scales, awareness of orientation and memory for usual spatial behavior. In Study 2, 48 participants performed a modified sketch map task and completed the same questionnaires. Awareness of orientation improved the Internet skills of novices but not of experts. In addition, awareness of orientation affected the structure of the cognitive maps of the Internet. These results suggest that sense of direction in the real world influence skill with the Web for novice users.

► Two studies investigated effects of real-world sense of direction on Internet use. ► Subjects drew sketch maps of the Internet. ► Subjects completed questionnaires about their sense of direction and Internet use. ► Sense of direction affected Internet skill for novice but not expert Web users.