• School Mathematics
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.353-370
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to select the components of spatial ability that could be associated with the implementation of a polycube task, embody the selected components of spatial ability as learning elements and develop the prototype of polycube teaching-learning materials applicable to gifted education, (2) to make a close analysis of the development process of the teaching-learning materials to ensure the applicability of the prototype, (3) to give some suggestions on the development of teaching-learning materials geared toward mathematically gifted classes. The findings of the study were as follows: As for the first purpose of the study, relevant literature was reviewed to make an accurate definition of spatial ability, on which there wasn't yet any clear-cut explanation, and to find out what made up spatial ability. After 13 components of spatial ability that were linked to a polycube task were selected, the prototype of teaching-learning materials for gifted education in mathematics was developed by including nine components in consideration of children's grade and level. Concerning the second purpose of the study, materials for teachers and students were separately developed based on the prototype, and the materials were modified and finalized in light of when selected students exerted their spatial ability well or didn't in case of utilizing the developed materials in class. And then the materials were finalized after being finetuned two times by regulating the learning type, sequence and degree of learning difficulty. Regarding the third purpose of the study, the polycube task performed in this study might not be generalizable, but there are seven suggestions on the development process of teaching-learning materials.