Measurement of Spatial Ability in an Interactive Mathematics Software: Theoretical Foundations and Relationship With End-of-Grade Mathematics Scores

• In Event: Embracing New Assessment Methods to Enhance Measure and Predict Learning Outcomes

Abstract

Spatial ability is important to children’s daily lives as well as to their mathematics achievement. In this study, we examined measurement of spatial ability through existing games within a digital mathematics environment. These measures were (a) theoretically tied to traditional spatial measures, (b) used in an exploratory factor analysis to determine if there were underlying spatial abilities, and (c) used to predict end-of-grade mathematics test scores. The games did not load well onto combined spatial ability factors and were used individually in analyses. Predictive value of games depended on school district, likely due to differences in mathematics assessments.

Authors

• Sarah Karamarkovich, North Carolina State University

• Teomara Rutherford, University of Delaware