Spatial Ability: Understanding The Past, Looking Into The Future

Spatial ability (SA) refers to the ability to generate, retain and manipulate abstract visual images. From 1880 to 1940 SA was gradually understood and defined as an independent, unique ability and justly included as one of Gardner’s types of intelligences. Later, Maier improved Gardner's model by distinguishing between five types of spatial abilities and intelligence: Spatial perception, Visualization, Mental rotation, Spatial relations and Spatial orientation. During the 70’s and 80’s the developmental attributes of the term were addressed. Those studies wished to understand how and when SA develops and naturally were directed mostly at children as subjects. Those studies revealed that SA is an essential ability to the development of mathematical skills. Later developmental studies addressed adult SA development and accordingly found that SA was a predictor of success in STEM fields of academic studies. Furthermore, during those years psychometric studies started to develop standardized tests to measure SA. Starting from the 80’s and up to now, a great deal of research is being directed at technology and the way it influences SA development. These studies direct special attention at studying how new technologies such as computer games and VR affect SA measuring and training. The current research wishes to continue the rich tradition of this field of studies and draws attention to first year engineering and architecture students. It seeks to investigate how to best train their SA and the way this training will influence future achievements on both fields.