Insights from Paper Folding: Spatial Visualization Processes and Their Link to Mathematics.

Danielle Harris, Tom Lowrie

Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in BookConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Spatial visualization (SV) involves transformations to the structure and relations of an object through a complex sequence of maneuvers. These skills are associated with mathematics performance. Research to date primarily involves analyzing psychometric measures to determine the nature of relations. Conse quently, there is in a gap in knowledge around the process-based associations between SV and mathematics. In this study, 259 Grade 8 students (52.9% female) completed tests of SV and mathematics, and open-ended paper folding tasks. They were categorized as High (HS), Mid (MS), or Low (LS) spatial. HS students completed most open-ended tasks with better than average success. Although LS students did not perform as well as HS students, those who completed the more complex open-ended fold task had higher success rates than MS students, indicating the use of effective strategies, regardless of spatial skill. There were differences in student responses for diagonal- compared with straight-fold tasks. Diagonal tasks were associated with spatial skill but not with mathematics per formance. HS students used successful spatial strategies for the open-ended tasks and mathematics. For MS students, there was an association between spatial tasks and word and geometry-measurement problems. There was minimal association between the open-ended spatial tasks and mathematics for LS students. The paper concludes with a discussion around the functional role of spatial visualization in mathematics and avenues for future research
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSpatial Cognition XIII - 13th International Conference, Spatial Cognition 2024, Proceedings
Subtitle of host publication13th International Conference, Spatial Cognition 2024, Dublin, Ireland, June 25–28, 2024, Proceedings
EditorsMarija Živković, Jeffrey Buckley, Marianna Pagkratidou, Gavin Duffy
PublisherSpringer
Pages3-18
Number of pages16
ISBN (Electronic)9783031631153
ISBN (Print)9783031631146
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Jun 2024
Event13th International Conference, Spatial Cognition 2024 - Dublin, Ireland
Duration: 25 Jun 202428 Jun 2024
https://eleceng.tudublin.ie/sc2024/

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume14756 LNAI
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference13th International Conference, Spatial Cognition 2024
Country/TerritoryIreland
CityDublin
Period25/06/2428/06/24
Internet address

Cite this