Perceptual Benefits of Physical Material for a Spatial Task

• In Event: Poster Session 19
  In Poster Session: Cognitive Processes and Self-Regulated Learning

Abstract

We explored the perceptual benefits of using tangible objects for a spatial problem-solving task. In two experiments, thirty-three participants completed the Paper Folding Test (Ekstrom, French & Harman, 1976) with either a physical or abstract representation of the material: we found that subjects (females, in particular) were faster and more accurate in solving the test using physical material. The results of this study are discussed in terms of perceptual benefits of manipulatives for education.

Author

• Bertrand Schneider, Stanford University