The Effects of 2 Dimensional and 3 Dimensional Video Games onSpatial Ability

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of two-dimensional and three-dimensional computer games on spatial abilities. Spatial ability or the mind's eye is the ability of solving the problems through mental images and the ability of thinking visually or the ability of visualizing three-dimensionality.
175 male student and 80 female students of second elementary school from district 2 of Esfahan city participated in this study. The students were randomly divided into six groups (two-dimensional game play, three-dimensional) and control groups. Initially, each group was evaluated by Reven's Progressive Matrices test and then they play the two-dimensional and three-dimensional Tetris game in the 6 sessions of 20 minutes a day. At the end of program the post- test was used for all groups. The data were analyzed by t-test and factorial design.
Findings: the results of pre- and post-test showed that spatial ability of males (boys) is more than females (girls). The result showed that two-dimensional games more than three-dimensional games increase spatial ability; also computer games increase the spatial ability.
Computer games can increase the spatial ability that is greatly influenced in math, geometry, physics and chemistry.