Virtual Mathematics Kits (VMK): The Value of Spatial Orientation on It

Lingga Nico Pradana,Sudirman Sudirman,Cholis Sa’Dijah,I Made Sulandra,Octarina Hidayatus Sholikhah

doi:10.12973/eu-jer.9.3.1105

Abstract

<p style="text-align:justify">The purposes of the current study were to develop students' spatial orientation skills using Virtual Mathematics Kits (VMK) and to evaluate VMK as a form of digital media in terms of spatial orientation. This study involved 42 lower-class and 47 higher-class elementary school students as the intervention group and 36 lower-class and 41 higher-class students as the control group. The intervention group was administered spatial orientation activities for 10 weeks. These activities were performed using a VMK to facilitate solving spatial problems. In the end of activities, spatial orientation instruments administered to compare spatial orientation ability on each group. The findings of this study, spatial orientation activities using a VMK improved students' spatial orientation skills. More specific, VMK provides more significant effect on higher-class students. Finally, VMK allows students to explore many ideas and perspectives to solve various spatial problems. VMK can be used as a digital media that helps students to develop spatial reasoning.</p>

Highlights

The realm of education has entered the digital era
By looking at the advantages of Virtual Mathematics Kits (VMK), the purpose of this study was to examine the improving of students' spatial orientation using digital media
Previous research has already shown the usefulness of spatial tools in mathematics learning (Charalambous et al, 2011; Fischer et al, 2011; Kovacevic, 2017), our study shows that using VMK as a digital tool directly affects spatial ability in early elementary school students from both lower and higher classes

Summary

Introduction

The use of technology in education has become important (Akayuure et al, 2016; Genlott & Gronlund, 2016; National Council of Teachers of Mathematics [NCTM], 2006). Technology is not yet widely used in elementary school mathematics education. Primary school mathematics education requires analyzing, reasoning, conveying ideas, and solving problems in various situations (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development/OECD, 2012). In terms of various factors related to mathematical ability, spatial reasoning is noteworthy. Spatial reasoning can improve students' mathematical performance (Cheng & Mix, 2014; Lowrie, 2016; Lowrie et al, 2017) and improve capabilities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields (Mulligan et al, 2017; Newcombe, 2013). Spatial reasoning is very important to science and mathematics, especially in primary education

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