What's So Special About Spatial?

Author(s):  
Cigdem Uz Bilgin ◽  
Melat R. Anteneh ◽  
Meredith Thompson

Virtual reality (VR) technology has been steadily used for research purposes over the past few decades and is now gaining attraction in educational settings. Spatial understanding of learners is one of these research topics. Although there are plenty of studies focusing on VR and spatial abilities separately, there has not been a comprehensive review of papers that focus specifically on both VR and spatial ability. To address this question, an electronic search of articles from 2015 to 2019 was conducted that found 923 articles, 26 of which met the criteria of specifically discussing 'spatial abilities' and 'VR environments'. Eleven out of 26 articles reported the reason for using VR as a spatial assessment tool. The most frequently-mentioned spatial ability that was studied was mental rotation ability. This review revealed a special link between spatial ability and VR. VR can be both diagnostic and therapeutic for spatial skills; VR is an excellent tool for examining spatial ability in individuals and also individuals can enhance their spatial abilities through using virtual reality.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tibor Guzsvinecz ◽  
Éva Orbán-Mihálykó ◽  
Cecília Sik-Lányi ◽  
Erika Perge

AbstractThe interaction time of students who did spatial ability tests in a virtual reality environment is analyzed. The spatial ability test completion times of 240 and 61 students were measured. A desktop display as well as the Gear VR were used by the former group and by the latter one, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the probability of correct answers and completion times, while linear regression was used to evaluate effects and interactions of following factors on test completion times: the users’ gender and primary hand, test type and device used. The findings were that while the completion times are not significantly affected by the users’ primary hand, other factors have significant effects on them: they are decreased by the male gender in itself, while they are increased by solving Mental Rotation Tests or by using the Gear VR. The largest significant increment in interaction time in virtual reality during spatial ability tests is when Mental Rotation Tests are accomplished by males with the Gear VR, while the largest significant decrease in interaction time is when Mental Cutting Tests are completed with a desktop display.


Author(s):  
Mustafa Aydın ◽  
Mehmet Tuğrul Yılmaz ◽  
Muzaffer Şeker

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the spatial abilities of medical school students and their learning in anatomy. Methods: The spatial abilities of the 120 students (74 females, 46 males) were examined using Mental Rotation Test (MRT). The relationship between the mental rotation scores and the mean scores of their practical and theoretical anatomy examinations was determined in terms of gender. Results: The study revealed that mental rotation skills of female participants were lower than males; however, there was no significant difference in their exam (theoretical and practical anatomy examinations) scores in terms of gender. The spatial ability of the students had a low level significant effect on their anatomy scores, regarding practical applications. Conclusion: The results of the study revealed a significant relationship between students’ spatial ability and their success in practical anatomy examinations. This suggests that improving spatial ability skills may have a significant contribution to practical anatomy learning and may be considered as a part of anatomy education.


Author(s):  
Norena Martin-Dorta ◽  
Isabel Sanchez-Berriel ◽  
Jose Luis Saorin ◽  
Manuel Contero

Spatial abilities are critical skills in scientific and technical fields. In recent studies, the role of computer games, particularly those with 3-D simulations, have been examined for their impact on the development of spatial skills. The work presented in this chapter describes the design and user evaluation of a 3D construction mobile game called iCube. A trial version was brought out and evaluated by twenty-two students. Users pointed out that the game is useful for improvement of spatial ability and is fun. However, some difficulties arose with use of the tactile screen, as fingerprints caused problems while interacting with the game’s 3D environment. The results revealed that it is necessary to have this item in mind during the game’s design, where screen action is continuous.


Author(s):  
Stefan Zorn ◽  
Kilian Gericke

Abstract Spatial ability is one of the critical components of human intelligence. It has been proven that it is particularly crucial for success, especially in engineering, where interpreting views of an object presented by drawings, visualizing parts, or manipulating geometry in CAD are fundamental skills. Research has confirmed that spatial skills can be improved through instruction and teaching, for example, sketching and technical drawing, which are also included in the basic engineering classes. This study tested the hypothesis that the development of spatial skills during the fundamental design engineering class can be positively influenced due to the use of different visualization media for sketching and technical drawing tasks, whereas the used visualization media offer varying possibilities of interaction. Seventy students were pre- and post-tested with the Mental Rotation Test. All participants received the same training during the class but were given individual tasks with varying media. The analysis revealed a significant increase in mental rotation performance for all participants throughout the semester with a big effect size. Moreover, the mean performance improvement differed considerably depending on the visualization media and its offered interaction possibilities.


Author(s):  
Albert A. Rizzo ◽  
J. Galen Buckwalter ◽  
Ulrich Neumann ◽  
Carl Kesselman ◽  
Marcus Thiebaux

1998 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALBERT A. RIZZO ◽  
J. GALEN BUCKWALTER ◽  
ULRICH NEUMANN ◽  
CARL KESSELMAN ◽  
MARCUS THIEBAUX ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
András Zsolt Kovács ◽  
László Németh

Abstract The Mental Rotation Test (MRT) is one of the tests to survey the spatial ability. In this article we make an attempt to measure the spatial abilities of the students of wood industrial engineering and industrial design engineering of the Simonyi Károly Faculty of Engineering, Wood Sciences and Applied Arts (SKF for short) of the University of West Hungary and compare the results with the architects students of the Ybl Miklós Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering of the Szent István University. The paper aims to compare the results with respect to the scores and mainly the improvement based on new examination aspects. The article concludes that the small differences in the students’ developments of spatial ability in the two institutions can be caused by the difference in Descriptive Geometry courses


2022 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 839-846
Author(s):  
A. V. Kazantseva ◽  
R. F. Enikeeva ◽  
Yu. D. Davydova ◽  
R. N. Mustafin ◽  
Z. R. Takhirova ◽  
...  

In the contemporary high-tech society, spatial abilities predict individual life and professional success, especially in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. According to neurobiological hypotheses, individual differences in cognitive abilities may be attributed to the functioning of genes involved in the regulation of neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. In addition, genome-wide association studies identified rs17070145 located in the KIBRA gene, which was associated with individual differences in episodic memory. Considering a significant role of genetic and environmental components in cognitive functioning, the present study aimed to estimate the main effect of NGF (rs6330), NRXN1 (rs1045881, rs4971648), KIBRA (rs17070145), NRG1 (rs6994992), BDNF (rs6265), GRIN2B (rs3764030), APOE (rs7412, rs429358), and SNAP25 (rs363050) gene polymorphisms and to assess the effect of gene-environment interactions on individual differences in spatial ability in individuals without cognitive decline aged 18–25 years (N = 1011, 80 % women). Spatial abilities were measured using a battery of cognitive tests including the assessment of “3D shape rotation” (mental rotation). Multiple regression analysis, which was carried out in the total sample controlling for sex, ethnicity and the presence of the “risk” APOE ε4 allele, demonstrated the association of the rs17070145 Т-allele in the KIBRA gene with enhanced spatial ability (β = 1.32; pFDR = 0.037) compared to carriers of the rs17070145 CC-genotype. The analysis of gene-environment interactions revealed that nicotine smoking (β = 3.74; p = 0.010) and urban/rural residency in childhood (β = –6.94; p = 0.0002) modulated the association of KIBRA rs17070145 and АРОЕ (rs7412, rs429358) gene variants with individual differences in mental rotation, respectively. The data obtained confirm the effect of the KIBRA rs17070145 Т-allele on improved cognitive functioning and for the first time evidence the association of the mentioned genetic variant with spatial abilities in humans. A “protective” effect of the APOE ε2 allele on enhanced cognitive functioning is observed only under certain conditions related to childhood rearing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
Silvia Vera Lestari ◽  
Sunardi Sunardi ◽  
Titik Sugiarti ◽  
Silaturohman Silaturohman

Mathematics is one part of the science in education that we learn. In studying mathematics, especially geometry, spatial abilities play an important role in it. The purpose of this study was to describe the spatial ability profile of class VIII SMPN 1 Genteng  in solving cuboid and cube theory problems for male and female students. Indicators of spatial ability are developed based on elements of spatial ability, namely spatial perception, mental rotation, and spatial visualization. The results of this study are male students with high spatial ability can master all elements of spatial ability, male students with moderate spatial ability are able to fulfill several elements of spatial ability. Female students with high spatial ability can fulfill all elements of spatial ability, female students with moderate spatial ability are able to fulfill several elements of spatial ability, female students with low spatial ability have difficulty fulfilling elements of spatial ability.


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 328-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Sutton ◽  
A. Williams ◽  
D. Tremain ◽  
P. Kilgour

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the relationship between students’ spatial ability and their university entrance score (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank [ATAR]). The ATAR provides entry into university studies but does not necessary provide a good measure of students’ spatial skills. Spatial abilities are fundamental to success in many design courses. This paper aims to show whether the ATAR is a good predictor of spatial skills and considers the implications of this. Design/methodology/approach Students entering university design courses in architecture were tested three times during their first year using a three-dimensional (3D) Ability Test (3DAT), an online psychometric test of 3D spatial ability. The students’ results in 3DAT were then compared to students’ ATAR scores using a Pearson’s correlation test were also conducted to assess the relationship between ATAR and spatial performance. Findings There was no correlation between ATAR and spatial performance. Therefore, there was no relationship between an individual’s ATAR and their spatial performance upon entering university. Research limitations/implications Participants were required to select their ATAR from ranges, i.e. 71-80, 81-90 and 91-100, which meant their exact ATAR was not recorded. This meant that the participants were clustered, making it difficult to establish a linear relationship that was a true reflection of the population. Practical implications Initiatives to support students entering design courses may be necessary to compensate for the range of spatial skills students possess when entering university because of their school experiences. Social implications Individuals who have strong spatial skills are able to perform spatial problems faster and more efficiently than those with weak spatial skills. High spatial performance has been shown relate to performance in areas such as mathematics science technology and design. Originality/value This paper fulfils the need to better understand the diversity of spatial abilities students have on entering design courses.


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