The relationship between spatial visualisation ability and problem solving in structural design

The aim of this study was to test whether spatial visualisation activities would affect problem-solving skills in structural design. A quasi-experimental design method of post-test only with a control group was employed to detennine the effect of the prescribed intervention. The experimental group w...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Alias , Maizam, Black, Thomas R, Gray, David E
Format: Conference or Workshop Item
Published: 2003
Subjects:
Online Access:http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/6813/
http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/6813/1/MAIZAM_ALIAS_THE_R..pdf
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Summary:The aim of this study was to test whether spatial visualisation activities would affect problem-solving skills in structural design. A quasi-experimental design method of post-test only with a control group was employed to detennine the effect of the prescribed intervention. The experimental group was taught spatial skills prior to the learning of the subject, while the control group had their normal lectures. There were 77 and 61 civil engineering students in the experimental and control group respectively. The two groups were equivalent with respect to age, gender proportion and academic ability. Two instruments, the Spatial Visualisation Ability Test Instrument (SVATI) and the Structural Design Instrument (SDI) had been specifically designed for the study. The reliability estimates for the SVATI and the SDI are 0.70 and 0.73 respectively. It was found that the experimental group had a statistically significantly higher score on the structural design measure compared to the control group and that the effect was especially significant on the understanding of structural behaviour. It was concluded that spatial visualisation ability aids in the understanding of structural behaviour and thus enhances problem solving in structural design.