Digital game design principles for spatial ability enhancement

The concepts of spatial visualization and the geometrical calculation are important elements of multiple-intelligence development. According to the cognitive-development theory of Piaget, the students in 5th and 6th grade in the elementary school are on a level of concrete thinking, in which their thinking may have greater flexible alternatives, and begin to develop conservation concepts, including physical, spatial ability, and numerical conservation. For this reason, the training of the spatial ability is imperative for students around these ages. This study is investigated the possibility of utilizes a digital game to improve individual´s spatial abilities. An action game is designed and developed to achieve the purpose of the study. The game uses the 3D Studio Max 9.0 to build 3-D models, Photoshop CS2 for drawing characters and scenes textures, and Virtools Dev 4.0 for developing the game. The tasks of this game are designed to increase spatial ability with rotating question, visual discrimination and visual memory with space, rotate, reverse, inference and displacement. This study provides a game design model of various entities for learners´ contact, depict size, shape, aspect and position. After we completed the game, we applied experimental activities at two primary schools. From the observations and questionnaire results, we found out that this game can increase students´ motivation and willingness in learning. Players also were immersed in this game and followed the instructional materials we apply integrated into this game.