A study on sixth grade students' spatial reasoning regarding 2D representations of 3D objects


Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Eğitim Fakültesi, Matematik ve Fen Bilimleri Eğitimi Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2009

Öğrenci: ZEYNEP ERYAMAN

Danışman: ERDİNÇ ÇAKIROĞLU

Özet:

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the contributions of spatial visualization and spatial orientation tasks regarding 2D representations of 3D objects and isometric drawing to the development of sixth grade students’ spatial reasoning. The study also aimed to investigate students’ performances on spatial tasks during the classes and to explore their views and feelings about the spatial tasks. Data were collected from 24 6th grade students in a private school located in Ankara. The design of the research was first person inquiry where the researcher was also the teacher at the same time. During five class hour the topic was covered with spatial tasks developed by the researcher.Spatial Orientation Test (SOT) and Achievement Test on 2D Representations of 3D Objects and Isometric Drawing (AT) were administered to the students before and after the taskto evaluate the effect of instruction. Wilcoxon signed rank test was run to test data. Statistical analyses revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in students’ spatial reasoning development between pre-test and post-test. Another finding of the study was related to the progress of students’ performances in the visual reasoning tasks. As the time passed, students got more successful in completing even the more advanced tasks.The findings of the study indicated that in order to develop students’ visual reasoning abilities teachers need to provide them opportunities to practice with the visual tasks supported with the effective use of manipulative. In addition to this, teachers should create activities and design their lessons in a way that where the students are the actors and actively participated in the class.