Spatial Orientation Skill and Mathematical Problem Solving

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of spatial orientation skill in the solution of mathematics problems. Fifty-seven tenth-grade students who scored high or low on a spatial orientation test were asked to solve mathematics problems in individual interviews. A group of specific behaviors was identified in geometric settings, which appeared to be manifestations of spatial orientation skill. Spatial orientation skill also appeared to be involved in understanding the problem and linking new problems to previous work in nongeometric settings.