We have previously reported in this journal that spatial ability influences academic performance in engineering. We have also reported that spatial ability is trainable, and can be increased through instruction focused on using perception and mental imagery in three-dimensional representation. In this article, we present the results of a…

The validity and reliability of a novel route learning test were examined to assess the effectiveness of its use in evaluating spatial memory in healthy older adults and patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The Puget Sound Route Learning Test was significantly correlated with an existing measure of cognitive ability, the Dementia Rating Scale.…

Whenever students can't remember, don't comprehend, or won't follow through on your instructions, here's a guide that explores the root cause for these and other learning problems and shows you how to set students on the path to understanding and success. Learning expert Betty K. Garner explains the mental processes students need to gather,…

The purpose of this article is to describe a capstone course in undergraduate student geographical research in which GIS and other geospatial tools were used to teach undergraduate students basic geographical principles. The course uses the "cooperative learning" pedagogical approach to address one of a number of client-supplied research projects,…

While traditional schooling has focused mainly on math and linguistic skills, psychologist Howard Gardner suggests that there are at least five additional ways of learning. This curriculum guide applies Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences to the kindergarten class, providing teachers with a practical, thematic approach that will challenge…

This booklet examines what Orientation and Mobility (O&M) is and how it can influence the independence of a child with visual impairment or blindness. The booklet is divided into four sections--Reaching, Crawling, Walking, and Cane Use. In each section, terminology used by O&M specialists is explained, including "senses,""environment,""travel,"…

In the past 25 years, there has been an explosion in research on the development of perception. The research has produced discoveries at multiple levels: ecological analyses, models of representation and process, and improved understanding of biological mechanisms. This book provides a comprehensive treatment of infant perception, bringing…

This research aims to devise an intervention that can enhance three-dimensional anatomical understanding and develop testing instruments that can be used to measure this understanding. First year veterinary medicine students (N=62) participated in a study that explored: (1) whether participants who use a cross section for learning the anatomy of…

A collection of essays on the comprehension of text brings together perspectives of different disciplines on discourse. Articles include: "Naturalistic Texts and Naturalistic Tasks" (Herre van Oostendorp, Rolf A. Zwaan); "Psychological Studies of Naturalistic Text" (Arthur C. Graesser, Joseph P. Magliano, Karl Haberlandt);…

The objective of the research is to learn if learning level of the university students in redox subject of chemistry education change when they use traditional learning method and computer supported method, and to compare these two methods by measuring their success through pre- test and final test. And also some factors that may affect the…

This report summarizes the results of research designed to study the psychometric and technological feasibility of adaptive testing to assess spatial ability. Data was collected from high school students on two types of spatial items: three-dimensional cubes and hidden figure items. The analysis of the three-dimensional cubes focused on the fit of…

The relative effectiveness of verbal and visual augmentation of rate-modified speech in the presentation of technical material was investigated. Subjects were 40 graduate students who used instructional materials consisting of normal and compressed audiotape versions of the Dwyer heart script, printed copies of the script, and black and white…

Interactive videodisc computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on land navigation tasks for M1 Abrams tank commander was developed and installed in a Basic Noncommissioned Officer's Course (BNOC) classroom at Fort Knox, Kentucky. A two-sided videodisc was developed to support the CAI courseware, which was developed on Hazeltine Corporation's…

This investigation of U.S. and Japanese seventh and eighth grade student achievement in the development of space relations indicated that the Japanese seventh grade mean score was 35% greater than that of the U.S. seventh grade sample and the Japanese eighth grade mean score was 11% greater than that of the U.S. eighth grade sample. Four possible…

In both 1960 and 1980, the same test of spatial-visual ability was given to national probability samples of high school seniors in the United States. The students in 1960 were participants in Project TALENT and in 1980 were participants in "High School and Beyond." In addition, a reading comprehension test was given to the 1960 students…