The Relationship Between Spatial Skills and Sketch Quality in Solving Problems in Engineering Mechanics

Sheryl Sorby, Gavin Duffy, Sylvie Vieau

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Spatial visualization is the ability to imagine what an object looks like from various viewpoints or after the object has been rotated in space by some amount. Numerous studies have shown the link between spatial skills and success in engineering. But how do well-developed spatial skills contribute to engineering student success? In studies with elementary students, children with good spatial skills were able to create schematic sketches - sketches that aided in the solution of the given problem. Poor visualizers drew pictorial sketches - those that did not help the student then solve the problem. A pilot study was conducted to determine the link between spatial skills and the ability to solve problems from engineering mechanics. In this study, a total of 47 students from upper division mechanical engineering courses completed a test of spatial skills and were also asked to solve 5-6 problems from introductory statics/physics. Results showed that a statistically significant positive correlation was found between spatial scores and the percent correct on the mechanics test. In this paper, we examine the quality of the sketches made by students while they were solving the problems and categorize them as either schematic or pictorial. Examination of the spatial skill levels of students who make schematic sketches will be compared to the spatial skill levels of those who make pictorial sketches.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2022 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE 2022
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781665462440
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Event2022 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE 2022 - Uppsala, Sweden
Duration: 8 Oct 202211 Oct 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE
Volume2022-October
ISSN (Print)1539-4565

Conference

Conference2022 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE 2022
Country/TerritorySweden
CityUppsala
Period8/10/2211/10/22

Keywords

  • graphics
  • problem-solving
  • sketching
  • spatial cognition

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