ASSESSMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF SPATIAL ABILITY DEVELOPED BY GRAPHICAL SUBJECTS

Abstract

The ability to mentally manipulate 2D and 3D figures is defined as spatial visualization ability and can be measured with simple cognitive tests such as Mental Rotation Test and Mental Cutting Test. Improving student’s spatial abilities is considered an important component in technical education and graphical subjects, in particular, Descriptive Geometry, have an important role in shaping spatial visualization abilities of future engineers and architects. In this paper are presented the results of MRT and MCT of the students from the Faculty of Architecture. They were tested in the first week of school, in the first year and then at the end of the first semester, following the course of Descriptive Geometry. Test results were analyzed and interpreted from different points of view.

Keywords

• Mental Rotation Test
• Mental Cutting Test
• spatial ability
• descriptive geometry
• education