Spatial abilities and virtual technologies: Examining the computer graphics learning environment

Research in the area of spatial visualization enjoys a long tradition in the discipline of cognitive psychology. However, the computer graphics profession, particularly the educational component, takes into account a person's spatial abilities as a means for designing effective instructional experiences and assessments. It builds on a learner's visual or haptic abilities. This paper will outline a brief history of visualization assessments instruments and strategies and their use within computer graphics-related learning environments. The use of virtual reality technologies to enable the learning process will also be discussed, as well as an introduction to visual science as a discipline.