Abstracts
Abstract
Research on spatial ability is interested in identifying the cognitive processes which characterise it. It has been related to success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Completed as part of the French research project EXAPP_3D e-FRAN, our study has focused on measuring engineering freshmen’s spatial and 3-D modelling skills. Pen-and-paper tests are currently the most popular method used to measure spatial skills. Our research has shown that performance on these tests is not indicative of the skills targeted by the tests alone: Our first subjects reported a variety of solving strategies. The sensitivity of spatial tests to bypass strategies, in the sense that those used do not correspond to the skills targeted by the test, presents the challenge of defining an experimental protocol that characterises both the performance measured in these tasks, as well as the skills they engage. This article presents a mixed methodology which addresses this twofold issue.
Keywords:
- human activity analysis,
- solving strategies,
- spatial skills,
- spatial tests
Résumé
La recherche sur les habiletés spatiales s’intéresse à qualifier les processus cognitifs qui la caractérisent. Dans le cadre du projet e-FRAN EXAPP_3D, notre recherche s’est portée sur la mesure des habiletés spatiales et des compétences de modélisation volumique d’étudiants ingénieurs primo-arrivants. Pour ce faire, nous avons investigué la mesure des habiletés spatiales la plus fréquemment observée dans les études contemporaines, c’est-à-dire les tests papier-crayon. Notre recherche a mis en évidence que la performance relevée dans ces tests n’est pas révélatrice des seules compétences visées : nos premiers entretiens ont révélé une pluralité de stratégies (cognitives, comportementales) mobilisées. Cette sensibilité des tests spatiaux aux stratégies de contournement présente le défi de définir un protocole expérimental qui permette de caractériser aussi bien la performance mesurée dans ces tâches que les compétences qui y sont mises en oeuvre. Cet article présente la méthodologie mixte que nous avons conçue pour répondre à ce double enjeu.
Mots-clés :
- analyse de l’activité,
- habiletés spatiales,
- stratégies de résolution,
- tests spatiaux
Resumo
A investigação sobre as habilidades espaciais procura qualificar os processos cognitivos que as caracterizam. No âmbito do projeto e-FRAN EXAPP_3D, a nossa investigação centrou-se na medição das habilidades espaciais e das competências de modelação volumétrica de estudantes de engenharia recémchegados. Para isso, investigámos o método de avaliação das habilidades espaciais mais frequentemente utilizado nos estudos contemporâneos, ou seja, os testes de papel e lápis. A nossa investigação revelou que o desempenho observado nesses testes não reflete exclusivamente as competências visadas: as primeiras entrevistas mostraram uma pluralidade de estratégias (cognitivas e comportamentais) mobilizadas pelos estudantes. Esta sensibilidade dos testes espaciais às estratégias de contorno coloca o desafio de definir um protocolo experimental que permita caracterizar tanto o desempenho medido nessas tarefas como as competências efetivamente mobilizadas. Este artigo apresenta a metodologia mista que concebemos para responder a este duplo desafio.
Palavras chaves:
- análise da atividade,
- estratégias de resolução,
- habilidades espaciais,
- testes espaciais
Appendices
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