Spatial Visualization Training Using Interactive Animation

In two experiments, we investigated the benefits of using interactive animation and virtual geometric solids for spatial visualization training. Individuals with low spatial ability were trained to recognize the cross section of a threedimensional (3D) object using interactive animations in which they passed a plane through a 3D object, observed, and drew the resulting cross section. In both experiments, trained participants showed significantly greater pre-posttest improvement compared to controls on a test of inferring cross sections. Effects of training transferred to untrained stimuli. We propose mechanisms of learning and transfer and suggest how these results can be further developed and applied to spatial visualization training in science education.

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