The Distinction Between Mathematics and Spatial Reasoning in Assessment: Do STEM Educators and Cognitive Psychologists Agree?

Danielle Harris; Tom Lowrie

The Distinction Between Mathematics and Spatial Reasoning in Assessment: Do STEM Educators and Cognitive Psychologists Agree?

Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in Book › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

Mathematics in Australia specifies spatial reasoning as a general capability within the curriculum. However, psychological research to date limits spatial assessment to psychometric tests leaving little room for a well-defined spatial curriculum. Although there are clear relationships between mathematics and spatial thinking, the independence in the measurement of the two constructs in research literature is rarely explored. In the present study, professionals in the fields of STEM Education and Cognitive Psychology evaluated mathematics and spatial assessment items. The results show evidence for a distinction between the two constructs in the content of the items, however with a caveat that thoughtful selection of assessment items is crucial to ensure independence in the measures.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Making Waves, Opening Spaces Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia
Editors	Jodie Hunter, Lisa Darragh, Pam Perger
Place of Publication	Adelaide
Publisher	Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia Inc.
Pages	376-383
Number of pages	8
ISBN (Electronic)	9781920846282
Publication status	Published - 2018
Event	41st Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia: Making Waves, Opening spaces - Massey University , Albany, New Zealand Duration: 1 Jul 2018 → 5 Jul 2018 https://www.merga.net.au

Conference

Conference	41st Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia
Abbreviated title	MERGA 41
Country/Territory	New Zealand
City	Albany
Period	1/07/18 → 5/07/18
Internet address	https://www.merga.net.au

Access to Document

https://merga.net.au/common/Uploaded%20files/Annual%20Conference%20Proceedings/2018%20Annual%20Conference%20Proceedings/Harris.pdf

Cite this

Harris, D., & Lowrie, T. (2018). The Distinction Between Mathematics and Spatial Reasoning in Assessment: Do STEM Educators and Cognitive Psychologists Agree? In J. Hunter, L. Darragh, & P. Perger (Eds.), Making Waves, Opening Spaces Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 376-383). Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia Inc.. https://merga.net.au/common/Uploaded%20files/Annual%20Conference%20Proceedings/2018%20Annual%20Conference%20Proceedings/Harris.pdf

Harris, Danielle ; Lowrie, Tom. / The Distinction Between Mathematics and Spatial Reasoning in Assessment: Do STEM Educators and Cognitive Psychologists Agree?. Making Waves, Opening Spaces Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia . editor / Jodie Hunter ; Lisa Darragh ; Pam Perger. Adelaide : Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia Inc., 2018. pp. 376-383

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title = "The Distinction Between Mathematics and Spatial Reasoning in Assessment: Do STEM Educators and Cognitive Psychologists Agree?",

abstract = "Mathematics in Australia specifies spatial reasoning as a general capability within the curriculum. However, psychological research to date limits spatial assessment to psychometric tests leaving little room for a well-defined spatial curriculum. Although there are clear relationships between mathematics and spatial thinking, the independence in the measurement of the two constructs in research literature is rarely explored. In the present study, professionals in the fields of STEM Education and Cognitive Psychology evaluated mathematics and spatial assessment items. The results show evidence for a distinction between the two constructs in the content of the items, however with a caveat that thoughtful selection of assessment items is crucial to ensure independence in the measures.",

keywords = "spatial reasoning, mathematics, assessment",

author = "Danielle Harris and Tom Lowrie",

year = "2018",

language = "English",

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editor = "Jodie Hunter and Lisa Darragh and Pam Perger",

booktitle = "Making Waves, Opening Spaces Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia",

publisher = "Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia Inc.",

note = "41st Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia : Making Waves, Opening spaces, MERGA 41 ; Conference date: 01-07-2018 Through 05-07-2018",

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Harris, D & Lowrie, T 2018, The Distinction Between Mathematics and Spatial Reasoning in Assessment: Do STEM Educators and Cognitive Psychologists Agree? in J Hunter, L Darragh & P Perger (eds), Making Waves, Opening Spaces Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia . Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia Inc., Adelaide, pp. 376-383, 41st Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, Albany, New Zealand, 1/07/18. <https://merga.net.au/common/Uploaded%20files/Annual%20Conference%20Proceedings/2018%20Annual%20Conference%20Proceedings/Harris.pdf>

The Distinction Between Mathematics and Spatial Reasoning in Assessment: Do STEM Educators and Cognitive Psychologists Agree? / Harris, Danielle ; Lowrie, Tom.
Making Waves, Opening Spaces Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia . ed. / Jodie Hunter; Lisa Darragh; Pam Perger. Adelaide: Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia Inc., 2018. p. 376-383.

Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in Book › Conference contribution › peer-review