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Building a model of "spatial ability" : an analysis of grade 5 and 6 learners' strategies for solving "spatial" activities

Bibliography: leaves 88-91.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Bennie, Catherine Jane
Other Authors: Breen, Chris
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: School of Education 2014
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access_status_str Open Access
author Bennie, Catherine Jane
author2 Breen, Chris
author_browse Bennie, Catherine Jane
Breen, Chris
author_facet Breen, Chris
Bennie, Catherine Jane
author_sort Bennie, Catherine Jane
collection Thesis
description Bibliography: leaves 88-91.
format Thesis
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institution University of Cape Town (South Africa)
language eng
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license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
publishDate 2014
publishDateRange 2014
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spelling oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9063 Building a model of "spatial ability" : an analysis of grade 5 and 6 learners' strategies for solving "spatial" activities Bennie, Catherine Jane Breen, Chris Mathematics Education Bibliography: leaves 88-91. This study explores the notion of "spatial ability" from the perspective of mathematics education. A review of the literature on "spatial ability" is used to compile a preliminary model of the phenomenon. Certain questions related to interaction in space arising from the literature review are noted in this model. Three aspects of this interaction are the focus of the empirical study. The results of the research are used to shed light on the preliminary model of "spatial ability". The three themes of the empirical study can be described as follows: the visualisation of "objects" from different perspectives (in "small-scale" space); the visualisation of "objects" from different perspectives (in "large-scale" space): and the representation of a three-dimensional "object" in a two-dimensional net. The results of the study suggest that a range of strategies can be used on the same "spatial" activity, and that a learner can adopt a variety of different strategies on a set of activities. Of the ten strategies identified in the study, some appear to rely on the manipulation of visual imagery, while others suggest that the manipulation process has been generalised resulting in a more "abstract" strategy. Interesting features related to the use of physical manipulation in solving spatial tasks and the communication of visual processes in the form of drawings and verbal responses are discussed. These results are used to expand the preliminary model of "spatial ability". This updated model suggests that a learner who has mastered four "abilities" and has a working knowledge of visual conventions will be able to interact successfully in the visual world. The different strategies identified in the empirical study are required during this interaction in space. The researcher also identifies areas for further research in. the field of "spatial ability" and reflects on the methodology associated with the assessment of this phenomenon. The potential value of the results of the study for use in mathematics education is discussed. 2014-11-04T08:47:51Z 2014-11-04T08:47:51Z 1999 Master Thesis Masters MPhil http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9063 eng application/pdf School of Education Faculty of Humanities University of Cape Town
spellingShingle Mathematics Education
Bennie, Catherine Jane
Building a model of "spatial ability" : an analysis of grade 5 and 6 learners' strategies for solving "spatial" activities
thesis_degree_str Master's
title Building a model of "spatial ability" : an analysis of grade 5 and 6 learners' strategies for solving "spatial" activities
title_full Building a model of "spatial ability" : an analysis of grade 5 and 6 learners' strategies for solving "spatial" activities
title_fullStr Building a model of "spatial ability" : an analysis of grade 5 and 6 learners' strategies for solving "spatial" activities
title_full_unstemmed Building a model of "spatial ability" : an analysis of grade 5 and 6 learners' strategies for solving "spatial" activities
title_short Building a model of "spatial ability" : an analysis of grade 5 and 6 learners' strategies for solving "spatial" activities
title_sort building a model of spatial ability an analysis of grade 5 and 6 learners strategies for solving spatial activities
topic Mathematics Education
url http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9063
work_keys_str_mv AT benniecatherinejane buildingamodelofspatialabilityananalysisofgrade5and6learnersstrategiesforsolvingspatialactivities