Locata - A Spatial Skills Test

Locata uses a Digital Terrain Model to generate 3D views of an area and asks the user to locate the position and orientation of those views on a range of map-like representations of the same area.

Backdrop data for Locata from Harvey (Mountain Map), Intermap Technologies (LiDAR-derived hillshade) and Getmapping (Aerial photography) used with permission.

From an academic perspective Locata has been designed to:

• Familiarise the users with the major physical features of a region they may be visiting on a field trip.
• To explore the ability of users to reconcile 3D views of an area with a 2D map representing that area.
• To allow various types of 2D representation to be used to explore their effectiveness at representing the landscape in such a way as to help the user locate a 3D view.
• To collect detailed log data recording the timings of each mouse click in relation to classes of landscape view to help explore the previous two issues.

Play Locata

Locata will offer you a series of views and you should attempt to identify their position and orientation on the map. You will get three attempts at each. A percentage score will be calculated for each attempt and the highest score for an attempt contributes to an overall average score for the session. An online high score table displays the top ten scores with username.

See if you can get a top ten place!

To view the Locata tutorial video click here. This video requires a Flash plugin which can be download here for free.

To play Locata with a university login click here. Alternatively click here to play as an anonymous user. The Locata game requires a Shockwave plugin which can be downloaded for free here.

The first time you play Locata it may take a while to download, especially if you have a slow internet connection.

Locata - High Score Table

position	score	username
1	94	Anonymous
2	93	Anonymous
3	93	Anonymous
4	92	Anonymous
5	92	Anonymous
6	92	Anonymous
7	90	Anonymous
8	90	Anonymous
9	88	Anonymous
10	87	Anonymous