A Comparison of Instructional Methods for Improving the SpatialVisualization Ability

The purpose of the current pilot study was to investigate teaching methods for improving spatial visualization (SV) ability. Specifically, this pilot study sought to determine the effects of mechanical dissection manipulatives on improving the SV ability of freshmen enrolled in a Technology Systems course at Western Carolina University (WCU). For industry to remain competitive in the global marketplace, students graduating from engineering and technology programs must have strong SV abilities in order to communicate effectively and grow professionally in an engineering career. Researchers have previously investigated instructional methods for improving SV ability, however, only a small number of studies have been conducted, with no clear consensus showing the superiority of a certain approach. Two, five-week (15 hours total) instructional methods developed to influence the SV ability of the 31 students were randomly assigned to the two course sections of Technology Systems. Treatment E group received lectures and exercises on engineering drawing principles and practices while Treatment EM group received hand-held mechanical dissection manipulatives for use in lectures and exercises on engineering drawing principles and practices. Th