Examining the role of spatial skills and mathematics motivation on middle school mathematics achievement

Background Spatial skills and mathematical ability have been repeatedly identified as critical for achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Previous studies have identified correlations between spatial skills and mathematical achievement; however, questions remain reg...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inGrantee Submission Vol. 7; no. 1
Main Authors Atit, Kinnari, Power, Jason R., Veurink, Norma, Uttal, David H., Sorby, Sheryl, Panther, Grace, Msall, Camille, Fiorella, Logan, Carr, Martha
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cham Springer International Publishing 23.07.2020
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects
Academic achievement
Achievement Tests
Correlation
Correlation analysis
Education
Educational Technology
Grade 7
Learning Motivation
Mathematical analysis
Mathematics Education
Mathematics Instruction
Mathematics Skills
Mathematics Tests
Middle School Students
Motivation
Prediction
Questionnaires
Science Education
Spatial Ability
Standardized Tests
STEM Education
Student Attitudes
Students
Michigan
Mathematics achievement
Motivation
Spatial skills
Middle school
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Summary:Background Spatial skills and mathematical ability have been repeatedly identified as critical for achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Previous studies have identified correlations between spatial skills and mathematical achievement; however, questions remain regarding improvements in non-spatial areas associated with STEM achievement. The current study examined whether competency in spatial skills could be related to individuals’ motivation for mathematics. Measures of spatial skills and mathematics motivation were completed by 1056 seventh grade students. Results Using hierarchical linear modeling, spatial skills and math motivation were examined relative to students’ performance on a state standardized mathematics subtest. Results indicate that spatial skills and motivation interact to significantly predict students’ mathematics performance. Conclusions These results suggest that spatial skills in combination with motivation play a significant role in middle school students’ mathematics achievement.
ISSN:2196-7822
2196-7822
DOI:10.1186/s40594-020-00234-3