DEEP SPACE : Promoting spatial thinking for all with digital technology

Virtual learning environments to foster spatial thinking and perspective taking: Co-design with teachers of collaborative game-based activities

DEEP Space is a research project within the Swiss DEEP consortium (Digital Education for Equity in Primary School) co-funded by Jacobs foundation, University of Geneva and PH St Gallen.

February 2024 – December 2027

Objectives

Screenshot of a 3D virtual environment of an urban city
Expected Visual Projection of the Virtual Environment

The representation of space is an area that has been largely transformed with digital technology. GPS technology is used daily to navigate in new environments, and computer graphic capabilities have opened new avenues for research in math, natural sciences, human sciences (geography, sociology) and engineering. However, the skills and knowledge required to efficiently use these devices have to be trained, so that every student benefits from them regardless of existing diversity in visuospatial abilities or experience with space representation.

This question are even more essential considering the correlation between spatial abilities and academic achievement, particularly in STEM fields. Additionally, these skills are unevenly developed between boys and girls at the primary school level, underscoring the importance of promoting greater equity among students.

The DEEP Space project investigates how to efficiently use digital technology to foster children spatial thinking and especially navigation and orientation in large spaces. A technology that is particularly relevant is virtual reality (desktop or immersive), because it offers pedagogical, technological and social affordances for developing spatial thinking. Yet, it has never been used for primary school students. As for pedagogical approach, a collaborative game-based format will be used, since it has been proved effective to engage students in reasoning and problem solving, especially with technology.

To ensure that the learning design is adequate for different school contexts, the project adopts a design-based research approach (DBR), with teachers participating in the design and the research.

Diagram of DBR - Design-Based Research
DBR (Design-Based Research) of the DEEP SPACE project

Team

Project Leads Employees