Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using dynamic geometry software on pre-service mathematics teachers’ spatial visualization skills and to determine whether spatial visualization skills can be a predictor of success in learning analytic geometry of space. The study used a quasi-experimental design with a control group. There were 46 students in the experimental group and 48 students in the control group. The Purdue Spatial Visualization Test (PSVT) was applied as both pre- and post-test to measure the students’ spatial visualization skills. Furthermore, the Prior Knowledge Test (PKT) was administered at the beginning of the study to measure their prior knowledge, and the Academic Achievement Test (AAT) was used to evaluate their ability in analytic geometry of space. The results of the study showed that using dynamic geometry software was effective for improving students’ spatial visualization skills. It was also found that spatial visualization skills are a significant predictor of success in spatial analytic geometry.

Key words: Spatial visualization, dynamic geometry software, spatial analytic geometry, success.