Strategies and difficulties in solving spatial visualization problems: a case study with adults

Download
index.pdf
2012
Kayhan, Emine Banu
Show full item record
67
views
33
downloads
The purpose of the present study is to investigate the spatial strategies of adults and the difficulties they experience while solving spatial visualization problems. To achieve this purpose, a case study is conducted and the case of this study is the group of five adults studying secondary or elementary mathematics education in a public university in Ankara. Spatial Ability Test (SAT) and task based interviews are utilized to determine the participants’ spatial abilities; and to interpret their strategies, and their difficulties in solving spatial visualization problems. The present study reveals that, the participants’ spatial strategies are mainly categorized as: holistic, analytic and intermediate strategies. Moreover, substrategies are defined; for holistic strategies; mental rotation and mental manipulation strategies; for analytic strategies, key feature and counting strategies; and for intermediate strategies, partial rotation, partial manipulation and pattern-based strategies. Additionally, for each sub-strategy different ways of using that strategy are defined. As an example when using mental manipulation strategy, participants use two different ways; imagining the folding and imagining the sequence. It is also concluded that when the strategies are selected, characteristics of the problems are important. This study shows that the difficulties of the participants in solving spatial visualization problems can be mainly categorized as: limited flexibility and inadequate proficiency. The results of this study provides detailed descriptions of strategies and difficulties of adults in solving spatial visualization problems to be used in designing tools for assessment or development of spatial visualization ability.
Spatial ability., Spatial behavior., Mathematics, Mathematical readiness.
http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12614344/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/21529
Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis

Suggestions

A Study On Pre-Service Teachers’ Spatial Visualization Ability and Spatial Anxiety
Erkek, Özlem; Isıksal Bostan, Mine; Çakıroğlu, Erdinç (2017-01-01)
This study aims to investigate the pre-service teachers’ spatial visualization ability and spatial anxiety levels with respect to their gender and undergraduate programs. Data were collected from 1007 third and fourth year undergraduate pre-service teachers enrolled in elementary mathematics, science, and early childhood education programs from four universities in Ankara, Turkey. Spatial Visualization Test and the Spatial Anxiety Scale were used as data collection instruments. The results revealed a statis...
Transfer of Learning on a Spatial Memory Task between the Blind and Sighted People
AKPINAR, SELÇUK; Popovic, Stevo; Kirazcı, Sadettin (2012-12-01)
The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of two different types of feedback on a spatial memory task between the blind and blindfolded-sighted participants. Participants tried to estimate the predetermined distance by using their dominant hands. Both blind and blindfolded-sighted groups were randomly divided into two feedback subgroups as "100% frequency" and "10% bandwidth". The score of the participants was given verbally to the participants as knowledge of results (KR). The target distance was...
How do adults solve digital tangram problems? Analyzing cognitive strategies through eye tracking approach
Baran, Bahar; Dogusoy, Berrin; Çağıltay, Kürşat (null; 2007-07-27)
Purpose of the study is to investigate how adults solve tangram based geometry problems on computer screen.Two problems with different difficulty levels were presented to 20 participants. The participants tried to solve problems by placing seven geometric objects into correct locations. In order to analyze the process, the participants and their eye movements were recorded by an Tobii Eye Tracking device while solving the problems. The results showed that the participants employed different strategies while...
A study on sixth grade students’ spatial reasoning regarding 2D representations of 3D objects
Eryaman, Zeynep; Çakıroğlu, Erdinç; Department of Elementary Science and Mathematics Education (2009)
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the contributions of spatial visualization and spatial orientation tasks regarding 2D representations of 3D objects and isometric drawing to the development of sixth grade students’ spatial reasoning. The study also aimed to investigate students’ performances on spatial tasks during the classes and to explore their views and feelings about the spatial tasks. Data were collected from 24 6th grade students in a private school located in Ankara. The design of t...
Evaluating working memory capacity and cognitive load in learning from goal based scenario centered 3D multimedia
Kilic, Eylem; Yıldırım, Zahide (2010-02-08)
The purpose of this study is to investigate working memory capacity and cognitive load in learning from Goal Based Scenario centered 3D multimedia learning environment (GBSc3DM) designed based on Cognitive Load Theory (CLT). GBSc3DM was developed in two versions. In the designed of the first version (+CLT) cognitive load principles were applied. In the second version (-CLT), however, the principles were violated. 47 11(th) grade high school students were selected based on their working memory capacity (WMC)...
Citation Formats
E. B. Kayhan, “Strategies and difficulties in solving spatial visualization problems: a case study with adults,” Ph.D. - Doctoral Program, Middle East Technical University, 2012.
METU IIS - Integrated Information Service open@metu.edu.tr