Exploring the Link Between Students' Spatial Reasoning Skills and Academic Performance in Geometry Problem Solving
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23670518Keywords:
spatial reasoning, geometry problem solving, spatial visualization, spatial orientation, mathematics achievement, curriculum enhancementAbstract
This study examined the association between students’ spatial reasoning skills and academic performance in geometry problem solving. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was used with 300 randomly selected Grades 7–10 students from three public schools in the Schools Division of Sorsogon City. Data were gathered through a researcher-developed questionnaire assessing spatial visualization, spatial relationships, spatial orientation, application of spatial reasoning, and preferred teaching strategies, supplemented by students’ recorded geometry grades. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Kruskal–Wallis H, Mann–Whitney U, and Spearman rho were used to analyze the data. The largest proportion of students obtained Fairly Satisfactory grades (42.3%). Spatial visualization (M = 2.62), spatial relationships (M = 2.62), and spatial orientation (M = 2.57) were generally rated High, although pre-visualizing figures, solving complex relational problems, and changing viewpoints were weaker areas. Students reported often applying spatial reasoning (M = 2.68) and favored manipulatives and spatial puzzles. Differences across age, sex, and grade groups were statistically significant in the reported tests (p < .001). Geometry performance was strongly and positively correlated with spatial visualization (ρ = .823), spatial relationships (ρ = .833), and spatial orientation (ρ = .833), all p < .001. These findings informed the proposed Spatial Reasoning Enhancement in Geometry, emphasizing concrete-to-abstract tasks, differentiated support, and ongoing monitoring. The observed associations do not establish causality.
Downloads
References
Atit, K., Power, J. R., Pigott, T., Lee, J., Geer, E. A., Uttal, D. H., Ganley, C. M., & Sorby, S. A. (2022). Examining the relations between spatial skills and mathematical performance: A meta-analysis. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 29 699–720. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-021-02012-w
Bansil, A. G., & Yabut, E. V. (2025). Educational intervention involving physical manipulatives for improving Grade 7 learners’ spatial reasoning skills. Journal of Practical Studies in Education, 6 (3), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.46809/jpse.v6i3.99
Bartlett, K. A., & Camba, J. D. (2023). Gender differences in spatial ability: A critical review. Educational Psychology Review, 35 Article 8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-023-09728-2
Baumgartner, E., Ferdig, R. E., & Gandolfi, E. (2022). Exploring the impact of extended reality (XR) on spatial reasoning of elementary students. TechTrends, 66 825–836. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-022-00753-6
Ceylan, Z., & Bulut, A. S. (2023). Eighth grade students’ solving real life problems requiring spatial thinking skills. Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Ereğli Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 5 (special issue), 359–386. https://doi.org/10.51119/ereegf.2023.48
Cotabish, A., Dailey, D., Trumble, J., & Miller, R. (2024). Spatial reasoning excellence: A synergy of VanTassel-Baska’s integrated curriculum model and talent development. Education Sciences, 14 (7), Article 716. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14070716
Duffy, G., Sorby, S., & Bowe, B. (2024). Exploring the role of spatial ability in the mental representation of word problems in mathematics. Frontiers in Education, 9 Article 1346474. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1346474
Fujita, T., Kondo, Y., Kumakura, H., Kunimune, S., & Jones, K. (2020). Spatial reasoning skills about 2D representations of 3D geometrical shapes in grades 4 to 9. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 32 235–255. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13394-020-00335-w
Guntur, M. I. S., & Setyaningrum, W. (2021). The effectiveness of augmented reality in learning vector to improve students’ spatial and problem-solving skills. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies, 15 (5), 18–30. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v15i05.19037
Harris, D., Lowrie, T., Logan, T., & Hegarty, M. (2021). Spatial reasoning, mathematics, and gender: Do spatial constructs differ in their contribution to performance? British Journal of Educational Psychology, 91 (1), 409–441. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12371
Hawes, Z. C. K., Gilligan-Lee, K. A., & Mix, K. S. (2022). Effects of spatial training on mathematics performance: A meta-analysis. Developmental Psychology, 58 (1), 112–137. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0001281
Kurt, G., Önel, F., & Çakıoğlu, Ö. (2023). An investigation of middle school students’ spatial reasoning skills. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 16 (1), 123–141. https://doi.org/10.26822/iejee.2023.319
Liu, S., Wei, W., Chen, Y., Peyre, H., & Zhao, J. (2021). Visual–spatial ability predicts academic achievement through arithmetic and reading abilities. Frontiers in Psychology, 11 Article 591308. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.591308
Ma’rifatin, S., Amin, S. M., & Siswono, T. Y. E. (2019). Students’ mathematical ability and spatial reasoning in solving geometric problem. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1157 (4), 042062. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1157/4/042062
Putri, R. O. E. (2020). A study on the junior high school students’ spatial ability and mathematics problem solving in Mojokerto. PEOPLE: International Journal of Social Sciences, 6 (1), 775–783. https://doi.org/10.20319/pijss.2020.61.775783
Sorby, S. A., & Panther, G. C. (2020). Is the key to better PISA math scores improving spatial skills? Mathematics Education Research Journal, 32 213–233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13394-020-00328-9
Sweller, J., van Merriënboer, J. J. G., & Paas, F. (2021). Cognitive architecture and instructional design: 30 years later. Educational Psychology Review, 33 (1), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-020-09545-9
Wang, S., Hu, B. Y., & Zhang, X. (2021). Kindergarteners’ spatial skills and their reading and math achievement in second grade. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 57 156–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.06.002
Xu, T., Sun, S., & Kong, Q. (2025). Spatial reasoning and its contribution to mathematical performance across different content domains: Evidence from Chinese students. Journal of Intelligence, 13 (4), Article 41. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence13040041
Zhu, C., Leung, C. O.-Y., Lagoudaki, E., Velho, M., Segura-Caballero, N., Jolles, D., Duffy, G., Maresch, G., Pagkratidou, M., & Klapwijk, R. (2024). Fostering spatial ability development in and for authentic STEM learning. Frontiers in Education, 9 Article 1346473. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1346473
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
