Walkable Graph: An Immersive Augmented Reality Interface for Performing the Memory Palace Method

Abstract

The objective of our research is to investigate the impact of explorable Augmented Reality (AR) environments on the effectiveness of memory enhancement techniques based on the memory palace method. The memory palace is an ancient technique which uses spatial memory for efficiently recalling information, since the association between learning content and spatial information enables a more efficient learning process. In our research, we use this method not in imaginary environments, as usual, rather in real physical environments enhanced with virtual content. The user walks in an obstacle-free space and by means of an AR interface s/he visualizes virtual graphs, which are overlaid on the floor of the room. An experiment is proposed: a group of test persons applies the memory palace method walking on virtual graphs with our AR interface for associating spatial information and learning content, whereas a control group applies this method using a traditional printed medium.