Spatial ability and mathematics

Graduation date: 2002Understanding mathematics and teaching mathematics involve\ud numerous factors, one of which may be an individual's spatial ability.\ud This paper examines research conducted on the relationship between\ud spatial abilities and mathematics, gender differences in the area of\ud spatial ability, the types of experiences that may affect one's spatial\ud ability, and issues surrounding the teaching of spatial skills.\ud Researchers have found that spatial ability does relate to mathematics\ud and males tend to have greater spatial ability than females. Instruction\ud has also been shown to be successful in helping individuals learn spatial\ud skills.\ud This paper also reports the results of a study that examined the\ud differences in spatial ability among 98 participants (males, females,\ud faculty, and students in the sciences and non-sciences) at a Pacific\ud Northwest university. Although not all the results were statistically\ud significant, they tend to agree with earlier studies that found gender\ud advantages in spatial abilities favoring males over females. They also\ud provide evidence of the existence of greater spatial abilities among\ud participants who are engaged in scientific rather than non-scientific\ud pursuits. The participants in this study also reported experiences that\ud they believed influenced their success or failure in tasks requiring spatial\ud ability. Such experiences were success in math and art classes,\ud computer modeling, drafting, puzzles/games, Legos, construction, woodworking,\ud and playing with blocks as a child. Participants also stated\ud their belief that spatial ability related to success or lack of success in\ud mathematics. Over half of the students felt that spatial ability would help\ud in a math class. This study reveals that spatial ability does differ in\ud individuals; that there exist experiences that individuals feel are\ud important for developing spatial ability; and that spatial ability relates to\ud mathematics. This information can be beneficial for both teachers and\ud researchers