11 Police Trainees Learn 1,000+ Buildings with MapInsights

The University of Illinois Division of Public Safety has successfully used MapInsights, a web-based training platform, to help 11 police trainees learn the territory of the university campus. The campus, which is divided into three beats on a roughly north-to-south basis, has over 1,000 buildings that trainees must familiarize themselves with.

MapInsights, created by associate professor Yun Huang in collaboration with Lt. Ty Ledbetter and Jennifer Whiting from the university's Police Training Institute, converts the memorization of a large real-world operating environment into structured, measurable practice. The platform identifies each building by name and by the number used by the campus Facilities & Services office, making it easier for trainees to learn and retain the information.

To progress to the next training module, trainees must score 80% or higher on a test of campus geography. MapInsights has replaced a clunky web form that didn't save progress, providing a more efficient and effective way for trainees to learn the campus layout.

## What makes MapInsights effective The system design of MapInsights was informed by cognitive psychology research, and it incorporates a sense-of-direction assessment framework to help measure progress. This approach enables trainees to develop a deeper understanding of the campus geography and improves their ability to navigate the area.

## Why it matters For public safety officers, knowing every building on their beat is essential. MapInsights provides a valuable tool for trainees to learn the campus geography quickly and effectively, which is critical for their success in their roles. With the help of MapInsights, the University of Illinois Division of Public Safety can ensure that its trainees are well-prepared to serve the community.

The successful use of MapInsights demonstrates the potential of technology to enhance training programs and improve outcomes. As the platform continues to evolve, it may have applications in other fields where spatial awareness and navigation are critical.