Spatial Ability Measurement in an Introductory Graphic Communications Course

Research on spatial ability indicates that many spatial test(s) have been used in research areas associated with engineering and technical visualization. A literature review of spatial ability testing produced a list of 24 tests that was used in a survey of EDGD members to identify their preferred tests. The top three identified tests were the Mental Cutting Test (MCT), Mental Rotations Test (MRT), and Purdue Spatial Visualization Test: Visualization of Rotations (PSVT: VR). During the spring of 2012, data were collected from three sections of an introductory graphics communications course (hereafter referred to as an introductory course) at a large university in the Southeastern United States. Data included scores from the MCT, MRT and PSVT: VR and participant demographic information used in this research. This study examined correlations between the three identified tests, the measurement of spatial ability between novice and experienced spatial ability learners, and recommendations for further research. The correlation results were positive between spatial tests although varied in correlation strength (strength of linear association). These results are similar to other reported correlation findings. The spatial learner results show experienced learners have higher spatial ability scores on the three spatial ability tests than novice learners. It is the hope of the researchers that this study will start the inquiry into which visualization tests are best used in determining visual capabilities for students taking our classes.