ERIC Number: EJ1075165
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1927-5250
EISSN: N/A
Discovering "Space" in the Elementary Classroom
Weckbacher, Lisa Marie; Okamoto, Yukari
Journal of Education and Learning, v4 n1 p35-40 2015
Recent studies have shown that strengths in spatial skills are a key to success in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers. However, these skills are undervalued in our educational system and thus seldom incorporated in classroom teaching. As a first step towards changing the current practices, we worked with a group of elementary school teachers who participated in an in-service workshop on spatial thinking and problem solving. The workshop emphasized the meaning, importance, and malleable nature of spatial skills and introduced a simple spatial activity, QuickDraw, that could be implemented during group instruction time. Those teachers who implemented this activity over the course of the school year reported various benefits of practicing spatial skills. Implications for preparing students for STEM careers are discussed
Descriptors: Elementary Education, Classroom Environment, Classroom Techniques, STEM Education, Spatial Ability, Elementary School Teachers, Inservice Teacher Education, Teacher Workshops, Problem Solving, Learning Activities, Program Implementation, Instructional Effectiveness, Science Process Skills, Skill Development, Feedback (Response), Teaching Methods
Canadian Center of Science and Education. 1120 Finch Avenue West Suite 701-309, Toronto, OH M3J 3H7, Canada. Tel: 416-642-2606; Fax: 416-642-2608; e-mail: jel@ccsenet.org; Web site: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jel
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A