Spatial Abilities and the Effects of Computer Animation on Short-Term and Long-Term Comprehension

This study examined the effects on understanding of differing levels of visual presentations and spatial abilities with concepts involving time and motion. Subjects were presented with one of three levels of graphic presentations (no graphics, static graphics, animated graphics) which were crossed with two levels of spatial abilities (high, low). The purpose was to determine if the presentation viewed by the subjects affected levels of understanding. Results supported several predictions. As predicted, low-spatial-ability subjects receiving presentations with animation made significantly greater gains than low-spatial-ability subjects not receiving animation. On short-term comprehension, results showed that spatial ability was a statistically significant factor and on long-term understanding the type of presentation had a statistically significant effect on the subject's performance.