• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.31-50
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• 2012

The present study explored whether the implementation of focused activities (intervention programme) can enhance 22 pre-service mathematics teachers' proficiency in solid geometry thinking level as well as change for the better their feelings in this discipline. Over a period of 6 weeks the pre-service teachers participated in activities and diversified experiences with 3D shapes, using illustration aids and actual experience of building 3D shapes in relation to the various spatial thinking levels. The research objectives were to investigate whether the intervention programme, comprising task-oriented activities of solid geometry, enhance mathematics pre-service teachers' mastery of their geometric thinking levels as well as examine their feelings towards this discipline before and after the intervention programme. The findings illustrate that learners' levels of geometric thinking can be promoted, entailing control on higher thinking levels as well as a more positive attitude towards this field.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.531-547
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• 2013

The purpose of the study is to examine how effects of activities using Google SketchUp on students' spatial ability and 3D geometric thinking in measuring the volume of solid figures. By comparing the results from pre- and post-tests between the experimental group and control group, we found that activities using Google SketchUp help students improve their spatial ability in the spatial orientation and visualization. In addition, more than half students in the experimental group moved from level 4 up to level 7 in thinking process of measuring the volume in terms of Battista(2004)'s levels. This study suggests that the instruction with Google SketchUp can help to improve students' spatial ability and 3D geometric thinking in the regular class in middle school. In addition, SketchUp can be an advanced technological tool to support students' self-directed learning, which create an efficient educational environment and a great opportunity to learn geometry in an effective manner.