Enhancing Spatial Ability among Undergraduate First-Year Engineering and Architecture Students

Dados Bibliográficos

ID22045674
AutoresRonen Porat (0009-0003-9369-4733, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, autor correspondente), Ciprian Ceobanu (0000-0003-4591-1118, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University)
Ano2024
Volume14
Fascículo4
Páginas400
Data de publicação2024-04-11
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoEducation Sciences (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2227-7102 • E-ISSN: 2227-7102
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/educsci14040400
OpenAlexW4394716804
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas3
Referências citadas30

Spatial ability (SA) refers to the ability to generate, retain and manipulate abstract visual images in one’s head. Research of this ability conducted during the last few decades had shown that SA is an essential ability to the development of mathematical skills in children. Later studies addressed adult SA development and accordingly found that SA was a predictor of success in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields of academic studies. Recently, focus has also been directed to another related field which is architecture. This group has not been extensively researched in relation to its spatial thinking abilities. The current research examines the efficiency of a new training program aimed at improving engineering and architecture student’s SA abilities. This program was based on previous intervention programs but was innovative in its combination of both traditional and computer-based teaching methods and combining frontal learning, hands on model building and augmented reality (AR) tools, all in a short program of 20 h. We asked whether the training program will be effective in improving student’s SA ability and whether this improvement will remain across different factors such as gender, faculty and math level. The results showed a significant improvement in SA abilities among the students who took the training program, compared with the control group. These results were true for both engineering and architecture students. Moreover, the results showed the training program to be efficient regardless of gender or prior math level

Cognition · Engineering education · Engineering management · Geography · Mathematics education · Spatial Ability · Augmented Reality Applications · Computer Science · Engineering · Geography Education and Pedagogy · Psychology · Spatial Cognition and Navigation · Architecture

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