The effect of van hiele learning model on students' spatial abilities

Abstract

Spatial ability is an ability to visualize an object in space. In learning geometry, the spatial ability is required to solve geometric problems. One of the learning models that can be applied in the learning process to improve students' spatial ability is Van Hiele learning model. Van Hiele learning model is a learning model based on Van Hiele level thinking theory. This research aimed to examine whether the Van Hiele model can give better support to the student's spatial abilities in platonic solid topic. This research was quasi-experiment research with post-test only control group design, which was conducted for one month. The population of this research was the eighth-grade students of junior high school in the Seririt subdistrict. By using random sampling techniques, 64 students were chosen as samples and distributed into two classes. The control group was taught by using conventional learning model, while the experimental group used Van Hiele learning model. Data were obtained through essay test for spatial ability at the end of the research. The data were analyzed by using the right side one tailed t-test. The result of the data analysis showed that the mean score of the experimental class was which was higher than the mean score of the control class. Therefore, Van Hiele learning model could give a positive impact to improve students' spatial ability rather than conventional learning.