Virtual Technologies to Develop Visual-Spatial Ability in Engineering Students

Cristina Roca-González; JORGE MARTIN GUTIERREZ; Melchor GarcÍa-Dominguez; Mª del Carmen Mato Carrodeguas

doi:10.12973/eurasia.2017.00625a

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Cristina Roca-González ¹ ^* , JORGE MARTIN GUTIERREZ ², Melchor GarcÍa-Dominguez ¹, Mª del Carmen Mato Carrodeguas ¹

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¹ Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria² Universidad de La Laguna^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

The present study assessed a short training experiment to improve spatial abilities using two tools based on virtual technologies: one focused on manipulation of specific geometric virtual pieces, and the other consisting of virtual orienteering game. The two tools can help improve spatial abilities required for many engineering problem-solving procedures. The results indicated that training activities improved the components of space ability (mental rotation, spatial visualization, and spatial orientation). In addition, it was concluded that there were no differences between men and women with respect to spatial ability levels before or after the training experiment. This fact resulted from masked training relating to daily living and leisure activities that are usually indistinctly performed by men and women in developed and industrialized countries.

Keywords

gender
virtual reality
spatial ability
augmented reality
virtual orienteering

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, 2017, Volume 13, Issue 2, 441-468

https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2017.00625a

Publication date: 02 Dec 2016

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How to cite this article

APA

Roca-González, C., MARTIN GUTIERREZ, J., GarcÍa-Dominguez, M., & Mato Carrodeguas, M. D. C. (2017). Virtual Technologies to Develop Visual-Spatial Ability in Engineering Students. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 13(2), 441-468. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2017.00625a

Vancouver

Roca-González C, MARTIN GUTIERREZ J, GarcÍa-Dominguez M, Mato Carrodeguas MDC. Virtual Technologies to Develop Visual-Spatial Ability in Engineering Students. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2017;13(2):441-68. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2017.00625a

AMA

Roca-González C, MARTIN GUTIERREZ J, GarcÍa-Dominguez M, Mato Carrodeguas MDC. Virtual Technologies to Develop Visual-Spatial Ability in Engineering Students. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2017;13(2), 441-468. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2017.00625a

Chicago

Roca-González, Cristina, JORGE MARTIN GUTIERREZ, Melchor GarcÍa-Dominguez, and Mª del Carmen Mato Carrodeguas. "Virtual Technologies to Develop Visual-Spatial Ability in Engineering Students". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 2017 13 no. 2 (2017): 441-468. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2017.00625a

Harvard

Roca-González, C., MARTIN GUTIERREZ, J., GarcÍa-Dominguez, M., and Mato Carrodeguas, M. D. C. (2017). Virtual Technologies to Develop Visual-Spatial Ability in Engineering Students. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 13(2), pp. 441-468. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2017.00625a

MLA

Roca-González, Cristina et al. "Virtual Technologies to Develop Visual-Spatial Ability in Engineering Students". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, vol. 13, no. 2, 2017, pp. 441-468. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2017.00625a