The Role of Spatial Ability in Academic Success

The Impact of the Integrated Hybrid Training Program in Architecture and Engineering Higher Education

Bibliographic Data

ID22042887
AuthorsRonen Porat (0009-0003-9369-4733, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, corresponding author), Ciprian Ceobanu (0000-0003-4591-1118, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University)
Year2024
Volume14
Issue11
Pages1237
Publication date2024-11-11
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEducation Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-7102 • E-ISSN: 2227-7102
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/educsci14111237
OpenAlexW4404240536
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited28

Spatial ability (SA) is a critical cognitive skill across various disciplines, particularly in architecture and engineering. This research, comprising two main studies, investigates the relationship between SA and academic performance among first-year students. The first study examines the impact of the targeted Integrated Hybrid Training (IHT) SA intervention on the achievements of two main groups: engineering (electrical, software, and chemical) students and architecture students. The results indicate that, while the intervention significantly improved SA, the impact on academic performance varied. Architecture students, whose curriculum relies heavily on spatial reasoning, showed significant gains in courses such as studio design, with higher SA scores correlating with improved grades. Engineering students exhibited SA improvement without corresponding gains in the first-year core courses like calculus and physics. The second study focuses on architecture students who did not receive the intervention, revealing a strong positive correlation between inherent SA and success in architecture-specific courses. Correlation coefficients (r) ranged from 0.46 to 0.67, with adjusted p-values between 0.007 and 0.024, underscoring SA’s importance in architecture. These findings suggest that integrating SA training into architectural education can enhance academic performance, while disciplines might benefit from specialized SA training introduced or expanded in later years. This research contributes to educational theory by demonstrating SA’s impact across disciplines and supports the development of customized SA training programs. Future studies should explore long-term benefits, advanced SA training technologies, and individual differences in response to spatial interventions, providing insights for curriculum development in spatially demanding fields

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

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