Initial research is reported on development of a tangible graphics (a display with raised symbols for reading by hand rather than by eye) system and its evaluation by 20 blind adults. Results suggested that tangible graphs are a viable source of spatial information for blind readers. (Author/MC)

To assess the influence of activity on the construction of spatial representations, first- and sixth-graders were assigned to each of three conditions. The child either walked through the environment, performed isolated tasks at four of the environments, or performed interdependent tasks at four of the locations. (Author/MP)

Children considered preoperational on multiple classification skills and left-right conceptions were trained to work on classification problems under different conditions, including two variations of children working in pairs, and a situation in which children worked alone. Those in collective conditions progressed more significantly than those in…

Two cognitive tasks (construction of space and recognition of space) were developed to test the emergence of three spatial concepts ("in", "on", and "under"). Subjects were 60 Israeli children between 18 and 30 months of age. Scalogram analysis and analysis of variance confirmed that "in" concepts developed…

Scales for object permanence and spatial relationships were administered to 98 severely and profoundly mentally retarded children (mean age 13 years) on three occasions, 6 months apart. Differences in the difficulty of the items were quite stable, but their order of difficulty differed appreciably from that for nonretarded infants. (Author/SB)

Eight men and eight women responded "same" or "different" to pairs of geometric figures. Male subjects showed a left visual-field advantage regardless of the level of processing, whereas female subjects did not show a clear-cut hemispheric asymmetry. Results are discussed in terms of sex differences in processing strategies. (Author/SJL)

Elementary school students (N=144) determined which set of pictures looked to them the way a set of blocks looked to a second observer from different perspectives. Results indicated that correct spatial judgments were facilitated when a landmark was present. (Author/DB)

States that imagery is increasingly recognized as important in children's sense-making activities in mathematics. Presents an example of Elaine, a fifth-grade student who used her well-developed spatial sense in solving a nonroutine mathematics task. Illustrates some direct connections between a student's use of imagination and the ability to…

Discusses assumptions implicit in any system of measurement. Describes a three-rectangle problem designed to help children explore additivity of areas and relationships between area and shape. Suggests ideas for action research. (FDR)

Explains standard drawing layouts and rules for creating orthographic and isometric views of a three-dimensional object. Normal and inclined surfaces are also discussed. Concludes with recommended classroom activities. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (FDR)

Two studies examined whether 4-year-olds' difficulty using relational information in spatial tasks was due, in part, to their inability to deal with situations where both objective and egocentric cues were available and pointed to different responses. Findings indicated that the presence of conflict significantly affected children's performance in…

A new analysis, based on the concept of the ideal observer in signal detection theory, is described. It allows: tracing of the flow of discrimination information through the initial physiological stages of visual processing for arbitrary spatio-chromatic stimuli, and measurement of the information content of said visual stimuli. (TJH)

Results indicate that seven-month-old infants are sensitive to the depth cues of linear perspective and texture gradients. Self-produced locomotor experience is not necessary for the development of sensitivity to static-monocular depth information. (RJC)