Centre for Spatial Reasoning

The Centre is exploring the use of games to develop spatial reasoning.  There is mixed literature on whether games do develop spatial reasoning, for example, 2D Tetris has been shown not to be effective, while some kinds of first-person-shooter are.

We are currently exploring particular kinds of maze game, drawing on both the spatial reasoning and gaming research literature to develop a game that is  highly engaging while also developing the appropriate skills.

We expect to have versions of the maze game in the various app stores by the end of the summer.

As we scale up our work in spatial reasoning, we will be testing the skills levels of an ever-increasing number of research participants and building testing into ongoing educational development programmes.  There is a concern that the commonly-used tests will become freely available to the public and lose their effectiveness.

We are studying the nature of particular spatial skills tests in order to develop automated test development - that is, the creation of unique tests automatically, on demand.  There’s clearly a challenge to ensure the validity of the tests that are generated in this way - are they measuring the same thing as the tests from which they have been derived. 

At this stage we have built a solid test-bed for further experimentation, and are trialling different questions complexity metrics.

Our spatial reasoning research and development programmes require the drawing of many different representations of 3D shapes - such as isometric, orthographic, coded plans and so on.  Such drawings are required for training exercises in particular, as well as tutorial and publicity materials for spatial reasoning work.  Current tools available for drawing these kinds of shapes tend to be either overly-complex or have functionality that is too limiting, which results in the use of multiple tools in complex and tedious authoring processes.  In an attempt to make the development of exercises as easy as possible, to support their widespread proliferation, we have created the following:

• An on-line tool set for web hosts , for embedding creation tools in education systems. Access here 
• A spatial skills drawing website, built on top of the tool set, that anyone can use to develop materials. Access here

Building on the success of the STEM SPACE project in primary schools we have launched a one-year pilot for secondary schools.

Success in STEM subjects is strongly related to spatial reasoning ability. By developing spatial reasoning, we expect this to impact pupils’ performance and enjoyment within STEM subjects.  This  could lead to an uptick in the number of pupils selecting STEM subjects as progression choices.

Under the fully funded pilot we are collaborating with a maximum of 10 secondary schools focusing on S2 pupils across STEM subjects.

By providing classroom resources, lesson plans and training we aim to:

• build and strengthen spatial reasoning skills in learners
• introduce and promote spatially-orientated teaching approaches in STEM subjects
  

Resource Developer, Jenny Kenny is leading the pilot. If you would like to find out more contact Jenny at jenny.kenny@gla.systa-s.com

For the past 7 years the School of Computing Science has committed to supporting student outcomes through spatial reasoning development. There is a wealth of research connecting spatial reasoning and computing success – much of it being produced by members of the Centre for Spatial Reasoning itself – which the School of Computing Science is using to inform practice.

Students are tested on their entry to level 1 computing, and those with lower spatial skills are offered an opportunity to improve them by taking part in a short course involving sketching and visualisation. The course is generally well received and has demonstrated value in improving student outcomes and retention.