A study was conducted to contrast the characteristics of three groups of college students who completed a developmental algebra course at the University of Maine at Orono during 1980-81. On the basis of a two-part final examination, involving a multiple-choice test of algebraic concepts and skills and a free-response test of problem-solving…

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between the level of conservation of displaced volume and the degree to which sixth-grade children learn the volume algorithm of a cuboid, namely, volume equals weight times length times height. The problem chosen is based on an apparent discrepancy between the present school programs and…

Sex differences in cerebral organization and functioning, and the apparent superiority of males in spatial ability are examined in this paper. Attention is given to several kinds of cognitive and perceptual tasks in which sex differences in spatial ability have been shown to exist; among these are tasks involving: (1) recall and detection of…

This proceedings from the annual conference of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education includes the following topics and authors: area measurement (C. B. Beattys, C. A. Maher); error patterns (H. C. Bebout); formative evaluation (J. C. Bergeron, N. Herscovics, N. Nantais); interactive…

This book describes the unique characteristics of visual-spatial learners and teaching techniques designed for this population. Following a quiz to identify visual-spatial learners, chapters address: (1) how visual-spatial learners think and the plight of being non-sequential; (2) the power of the right hemisphere, eye movement patterns, and…

Reviews literature related to physiological differences between boys and girls and the relationship to mathematical achievement. The areas of intelligence, spatial visualization, and brain laterality are examined. Suggests further questions for research. Lists 30 references. (YP)

The hypotheses that sex differences in spatial ability may result from differences in spatial experience, and that training can improve spatial skills regardless of sex, are tested. Meta-analytic techniques are used. Relationships between spatial activity and ability, and the improvability of spatial test performance for both sexes, are confirmed.…

Changes in verbal, spatial, and reasoning intelligence among Swedish 13-year olds were studied from 1960 to 1990. Rising verbal scores until 1980 have been followed by a decline to essentially the 1960 level. Spatial and reasoning results have risen continuously. Gender and social class differences are discussed. (SLD)

Presents activities that utilize representations of the side, front, and top views of three-dimensional configurations of blocks to develop spatial-visualization skills and aspects of the concept of function. Provides worksheets of these open-ended investigations. (MDH)

Describes a mobile computer lab set up in a converted bus that is used by fourth graders as part of the math curriculum. The program, which emphasizes problem solving and spatial visualization, also addresses gender differences and in-service teacher training. The physical arrangements, including provisions for computer security, are described.…

Developed is an examination to determine a student's visualization capabilities. This examination has two versions, both developed to measure visualization ability, time to visualize, and reaction time. This test indicates the learner's ability to visualize complex three-dimensional objects from six principal views. Included are the results from a…

Described is a course that offers students the opportunity to learn the graphics language of computers in conjunction with the traditional engineering design graphics concepts. The course objectives, course description, course administration, and advantages to using the dual approach are included. (KR)

Discusses a variation on tiling that offers opportunities for the construction of the fundamental mathematical concept of constructing abstract units called "unitizing." Tiling integrates geometric and numerical settings to develop spatial sense and present mathematics as constructing patterns. (MDH)

Whether or not the spatial cognitive development of students from distinct social-cultural milieus, specifically Anglos from the southwestern part of the United States and Native Turks, would proceed along approximately the same lines was investigated. The overall findings tend to indicate that at times the acquisition of spatial structures may be…

Describes four activities to develop visualization skills and the concept of dimensionality in which students (1) visualize transforming figures between the second and third dimensions; (2) identify the three-dimensional objects from their two-dimensional projections; (3) conjecture about the vertices, edges, and faces of zero- to four-dimensional…