The Development and Initial Validation of an Elementary Spatial Vocabulary Scale

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Eleven
  In Roundtable Session: Student Cognition and Reasoning in Mathematics (Table 12)

Abstract

Mathematics, including spatial skills, are important for overall academic and employment outcomes (Joensen & Nielsen, 2009; Kroedel & Tyhurst, 2012). We know that spatial skills and mathematics show a consistent relationship (e.g., Verdine et al., 2017), but we don’t know the mechanisms of that relationship. One important place to start is with students’ understanding of spatial vocabulary, but few instruments currently exist. This study describes the development and validation of the Spatial Vocabulary Scale. One hundred and forty-five fourth grade students completed measures of spatial skills, mathematics outcomes, and the Spatial Vocabulary Scale. Results suggest that spatial vocabulary, a malleable skill, partially mediates the relationship between spatial skills and mathematics, suggesting that interventions targeting spatial vocabulary may improve mathematics outcomes.

Authors

• Lisa Marie Ridgley, University of San Diego
  Non-Presenting Author

• Perla Myers, University of San Diego
  Presenting Author

• David C. Geary, University of Missouri
  Non-Presenting Author

• Yaoran Li, University of San Diego
  Non-Presenting Author

• Taryn Robertson, National University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Zehra Unal, University of Missouri
  Presenting Author