PME-NA

Priming Spatial and Geometric Reasoning with a Tangram Task

• In Event: Poster Session #1
  In Poster Session: Priming Spatial and Geometric Reasoning with a Tangram Task

Description

The ability to generate, retain, and manipulate abstract visual images is an important skill for success on mathematical reasoning tasks (Atit et al., 2021). Studies have shown that these spatial skills are malleable (Uttal et al., 2013) and that experiences that activate and build these skills can positively impact mathematics performance (Hawes et al., 2022). One such experience is solving Tangram puzzles. Tangrams are a set of geometric shapes that can be combined to make larger, composite shapes. In these puzzles, students must build a target shape, relying on their spatial visualization and mental rotation skills. Though studies have shown that solving Tangram puzzles can improve scores on geometry tasks (Author, Date; Cornu et al., 2019; Siew et al., 2013), little is known about whether these tasks improve skills or how experiences with these puzzles transfer to geometry tasks. These studies also often do not incorporate a non-spatial control condition. This pilot study compares students’ scores on a spatial and geometry task after completing a series of Tangram or non-spatial word puzzles.

Author

• Kelsey Schenck, Southern Methodist University