Make-A-Dice Test: Assessing the Intersection of Mathematical and Spatial Thinking

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Make-A-Dice Test: Assessing the Intersection of Mathematical and Spatial Thinking
Language: English
Authors: Burte, Heather, Gardony, Aaron L., Hutton, Allyson, Taylor, Holly A.
Source: Grantee Submission. 2018.
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 75
Publication Date: 2018
Sponsoring Agency: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Contract Number: R305A140151
Document Type: Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: STEM Education, Spatial Ability, Mathematical Logic, Mathematics Skills, Elementary School Students, Adults, Test Validity, Test Reliability, Visualization, Short Term Memory, Anxiety, Mathematics Anxiety, Rating Scales, Experience, Cognitive Processes
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale
DOI: 10.3758/s13428-018-01192-z
Abstract: Individuals with better spatial thinking have increased interest and greater achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines (Wai, Lubinski, & Benbow, 2009). This relationship means that STEM education may benefit from leveraging spatial thinking, but measures of spatial thinking as they relate to specific STEM disciplines are needed. The current work presents an assessment of spatial and mathematical reasoning, called Make-A-Dice. In Make-A-Dice, individuals are presented with a cube net (i.e., flattened cube) with numbers on two sides. Their goal is to "make a dice" by filling in the blank sides using two rules: opposite sides add to seven and use the numbers one through six once each. Make-A-Dice, math, spatial, and other measures were given to adults (Study 1) and elementary students (Studies 2 and 3), both across two sessions. Make-A-Dice had both internal and test-retest reliability, with items ordered by difficulty. Further, performance was related to spatial and mathematical reasoning. In Study 1, adults reported a range of strategies used to complete Make-A-Dice and one strategy predicted performance. Studies 2 and 3 showed that Make-A-Dice is age-appropriate for elementary students. Make-A-Dice shows promise as an individual difference measure linking spatial and mathematical thinking and has the potential of identifying elementary-aged children who may benefit from spatial training. [This is the in press version of an article published in "Behavioral Research Methods."]
Abstractor: As Provided
IES Funded: Yes
Entry Date: 2018
Accession Number: ED591447
Database: ERIC
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Be the first to leave a comment!
You must be logged in first