The measurement of enhancement in mathematical abilities as a result of joint cognitive trainings in numerical and visual- spatial skills: A preliminary study

2014 Joint IMEKO TC1-TC7-TC13 Symposium: Measurement Science Behind Safety and Security

Agus, M.^1 ; Mascia, M.L.^1 ; Fastame, M.C.^1 ; Melis, V.^1 ; Pilloni, M.C.^1 ; Penna, M.P.^1

Department of Pedagogy Psychology Philosophy, Faculty of Humanistic Studies, University of Cagliari, Via Is Mirrionis 1, Cagliari

09123, Italy^1

关键词: Cognitive training;    Computer assisted;    Experimental groups;    Paper treatments;    Post test;    Primary schools;    Spatial abilities;    Visual spatial;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/588/1/012041/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1742-6596/588/1/012041

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

A body of literature shows the significant role of visual-spatial skills played in the improvement of mathematical skills in the primary school. The main goal of the current study was to investigate the impact of a combined visuo-spatial and mathematical training on the improvement of mathematical skills in 146 second graders of several schools located in Italy. Participants were presented single pencil-and-paper visuo-spatial or mathematical trainings, computerised version of the above mentioned treatments, as well as a combined version of computer-assisted and pencil-and-paper visuo-spatial and mathematical trainings, respectively. Experimental groups were presented with training for 3 months, once a week. All children were treated collectively both in computer-assisted or pencil-and-paper modalities. At pre and post-test all our participants were presented with a battery of objective tests assessing numerical and visuo-spatial abilities. Our results suggest the positive effect of different types of training for the empowerment of visuo-spatial and numerical abilities. Specifically, the combination of computerised and pencil-and-paper versions of visuo-spatial and mathematical trainings are more effective than the single execution of the software or of the pencil-and-paper treatment.