Training of spatial visualization using computer exercises

Abstract

This work describes the construction, application and results obtained with a battery of computerized exercises for training Spatial Visualization in engi-neering students. The battery contains four exercises based on very common tasks in the basic teaching of Technical Drawing. Each exercise is composed of 18 items with four options to answer from, only one of which is correct. After answering each item, the student receives immediate feedback of whether the answer is right or wrong. The response format of the exercises is called Answer-Until-Correct, because if the answer the student gives is incorrect, he or she must keep on seeking the right answer. When the test is over, the student receives information on the score obtained. To assess the effectiveness of the training in Spatial Visualiza-tion, tests in this ability, scaled in the same metrics, were administered at the beginning and end of a Technical Drawing course. The figures of the exercises and tests were constructed with AutoCad and programming was carried out with Revolution Studio 2. Two models were used to obtain the measures: the Partial Credit Model [17] and the Rasch Model [24]. It was observed that, on average, the students' improvement in Spatial Visualization was moderate. © 2010 Heldermann Verlag.