Primary students’ spatial visualization and spatial orientation: An evidence base for instruction

Carmel Diezmann, Tom Lowrie

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

Abstract

This paper reports on the performance of 58 11 to 12-year-olds on a spatial visualization task and a spatial orientation task. The students completed these tasks and explained their thinking during individual interviews. The qualitative data were analysed to inform pedagogical content knowledge for spatial activities. The study revealed that “matching” or “matching and eliminating” were the typical strategies that students employed on these spatial tasks. However, errors in making associations between parts of the same or different shapes were noted. Students also experienced general difficulties with visual memory and language use to explain their thinking. The students’ specific difficulties in spatial visualization related to obscured items, the perspective used, and the placement and orientation of shapes.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIn search for theories in mathematics education
EditorsMarianna Tzekaki, Maria Kaldrimidou, Haralambos Sakonidis
Place of PublicationThessaloniki, Greece
PublisherInternational Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (IGPME) Inc
Pages417-424
Number of pages8
Volume2
ISBN (Print)9789602436523
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes
Event33rd annual conference of International Group for Psychology of Mathematics Education - Thessaloniki, Greece
Duration: 19 Jul 200924 Jul 2009

Publication series

NameConference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education
PublisherInternational Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education
Volume2
ISSN (Print)0771-100X

Conference

Conference33rd annual conference of International Group for Psychology of Mathematics Education
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityThessaloniki
Period19/07/0924/07/09

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