Analysis of students spatial ability in solving problems of flat side space subjects based on van hieles level of thinking

Abstract

This study aims to describe students' spatial abilities in solving geometrical problems of flat-sided shapes based on van Hiele's level of thinking in grade eight junior high school of SMP Negeri 1 Aikmel in the academic year 2020/2021. This type of research is descriptive qualitative. The research subjects were taken by purposive sampling, namely nine students of class VIII consisting of 3 students, each with van Hiele thinking level 0 (visualization), level 1 (analysis), and level 2 (abstraction). Subjects were selected based on having received material on plane shapes and had taken the van Hiele geometry test. Data collection techniques were van Hiele's geometry ability test, spatial ability test, and interviews. Data validity uses Aiken and triangulation methods. The results of this study indicate that: (1) subjects with level 2 (abstraction) have spatial abilities consisting of visualization, spatial orientation, and spatial rotation. (2) subjects with level 1 (analysis) have spatial abilities consisting of spatial orientation. (3) subjects with level 0 (visualization) do not have spatial abilities.

Keywords

• spatial ability, van hiele geometry ability, flat side spatial geometry