Journal for Geometry and Graphics 14 (2010), No. 1, 105--115
Copyright Heldermann Verlag 2010
Training of Spatial Visualization Using Computer Exercises
Gerardo Prieto
Dep. de Psicología Básica, Universidad de Salamanca, Avda. de la Merced 109-131, 37005 Salamanca, Spain
gprieto@usal.es
Angela D. Velasco
Universidade Estadual Paulista, Brazil
Rosario Arias-Barahona
Universidad de San Martin de Porres, Peru
Mercedes Anido
Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina
Ana-María Núñez
Universidad de San Martin de Porres, Peru
Patricia Có
Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina
This work describes the construction, application and results obtained with a battery of computerized exercises for training Spatial Visualization in engineering students. The battery contains four exercises based on very common tasks in the basic teaching of Technical Drawing. Each exercise is composed of 18 items with four options to answer from, only one of which is correct. After answering each item, the student receives immediate feedback of whether the answer is right or wrong. The response format of the exercises is called "Answer-Until-Correct", because if the answer the student gives is incorrect, he or she must keep on seeking the right answer. To assess the effectiveness of the training in Spatial Visualization, tests in this ability, scaled in the same metrics, were administered at the beginning and end of a Technical Drawing course. Two models were used to obtain the measures: the Partial Credit Model and the Rasch Model. It was observed that, on average, the students' improvement in Spatial Visualization was moderate.
Keywords: Visualization ability, technical drawing, feedback, training, answer-until-correct, Rasch model.
MSC: 51N05
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