Computer Games: Environments for Developing Spatial Cognition?

This experimental study investigated whether fifth, seventh, and ninth grade students participating in selected computer games utilizing spatial skills would improve their scores on a spatial ability measure. A significant treatment effect in favor of the experimental conditions was found in the analyses of covariance. No significant interaction or main effects were found for grade level or sex, indicating that males and females at all three grade levels seemed to benefit from this experience. These results suggest that certain computer games may enhance the development of spatial ability as measured by the Mental Rotation Test. Identified spatial components of the two games included visual perception and discrimination, differentiation of opposite obliques, visualization of transformations in series, the use of referent systems, and the development and updating of cognitive maps.