Abstract
This thesis presents a theoretical framework
for designing virtual realities. Virtual reality systems use new
technologies such as stereoscopic headmounted displays, instrumented
gloves and six-degree of freedom trackers to increase the bandwidth of
communication between the user and computer. They allow the user to
interact directly with a three-dimensional, computer simulated world.
The user is immersed in virtual reality. It is argued that the
sense of immersion is due to the users' situatedness in the virtual
reality. Thus a theory of designing virtual realities needs to
incorporate the notion of situatedness, from the theory of situated
actions. Principles are derived by examining ethnomethodology,
the theory behind situated actions. The principles are then used to
interpret previous guidelines for virtual reality design. The
interpreted guidelines subsume those in the literature. A field study
is then used to exemplify the use of the principles and guidelines in
a practical situation.
Notes
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