Doctoral Dissertation Research: Neurological Studies in Tactile Map Use and Training by Persons Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

本研究旨在探讨盲人或视障人士的空间能力、地图使用任务与训练绩效之间的关系。 由于这项研究在理论上是建立在空间认知，触觉映射和使用，以及功能性磁共振成像（fMRI）的领域，结果将确定系统的触觉地图使用和空间思维训练所产生的基于行为和基于生物的影响。 此外，先前的研究已经确定了与空间能力和地图使用任务绩效相关的神经模式，这将允许分析视力和盲人受试者群体在执行类似任务时的相似性和差异。 实验设计本身揭示了行为地理学和制图学研究的一种新方法。 过去的研究主要集中在触觉地图的使用，从基于心理的，基于认知和性能的，基于训练的，和基于神经的方法。 然而，这些不同的方法尚未被整合。 这项研究是基于这样一种断言，即混合方法的方法将提供一个更全面的措施，不仅空间和地图使用任务，而且对培训的效果。 拟议的研究将产生更广泛的影响，建立一个基础设施，研究方向和流动性培训。该项目将以触觉地图阅读协议的形式创建和提供一种新的培训工具，该协议将由俄勒冈州盲人学校的教师进行评估，并免费提供给公众。 该项目汇集了一个由教师、定向和流动专家、学生和研究人员组成的研究小组，通过实证研究开发一种增强学习能力的工具。 这种由研究人员和教育工作者组成的协作小组的模式将加强为盲人和视力受损者提出的触觉地图阅读协议的建设。 从智力的角度来看，该项目整合了三个领域的概念，理论和实验设计方法：行为地理学，制图学和功能磁共振成像。 这些结果不仅将增强这些领域的文献，而且还将提供这些领域的第一个整合。 在这样做的过程中，实验设计将提供一个模型来整合方法，并说明一个真正的跨学科的方法。

This project investigates the relationship between spatial abilities, map use tasks, and training-based performance effects by persons who are blind or visually impaired. Because the study is theoretically grounded in the areas of spatial cognition, tactile mapping and use, and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), the results will identify both the behavioral-based and the biological-based impacts resulting from systematic tactile map use and spatial thinking training. In addition, previous research has identified the neural patterns associated with spatial ability and map use task performance in sighted population, which will allow analysis of the similarities and differences between sighted and blind subject groups in the performance of similar tasks. The experimental design, itself, reveals a novel methodological approach in behavioral geography and cartographic research. Past research has focused on tactile map use from psychophysical-based, cognition and performance-based, training-based, and neural-based approaches. However, these diverse methods have not yet been integrated. This research is based on the assertion that a mixed methodological approach will provide a more holistic measure, not only of spatial and map use tasks, but also on the effects of training. The proposed research will have broader impacts by creating an infrastructure for research on orientation and mobility training. The project will create and provide a new training tool in the form of a tactile map reading protocol, which will be evaluated by faculty at the Oregon School for the Blind, and be provided to the public free of charge. The project brings together a research team of teachers, orientation and mobility specialists, students and researchers to develop a curriculum-enhancing tool through an empirical study. This model of a collaborative team of researchers and educators will enhance the building of the tactile map reading protocol proposed for the blind and visually impaired. From an intellectual standpoint, the project integrates concepts, theories, and experiment design approaches from three fields: behavioral geography, cartography, and fMRI. Not only will the results enhance the literature in each of these areas, but they will also provide one of the first integrations of these fields. In doing so, the experimental design will provide a model to integrate methods and illustrate a truly cross-disciplinary methodological approach.