This study investigated whether the software Virtus WalkThrough Pro could be used to enhance middle school children's spatial ability as measured by the Paper Folding, Mental Rotations, and Eliot-Price Tests. The study also investigated whether the use of this software impacted males differently than females, or users with high spatial ability differently than those with low. A pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental design was utilized. The sample group consisted of 116 students, 55 in the experimental group and 61 in the control group. Both groups were given the three measures as pretests and posttests. The investigator worked with the experimental group for 50 minutes a week for 11 weeks. Analysis of covariance determined that there were no significant gains on any measures. No significant differential treatment effects were found with respect to gender or spatial ability levels. However, males significantly outperformed females on the Eliot-Price Test.
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