The Effect of Simulation Chemistry Training on Spatial Ability and Problem Solving Skills for Tenth Year Female Students in Tehran

Aims: One of the contexts that can play an important role in teaching and learning is educational simulation. Given the benefits of this technology, the present study investigates the impact of chemistry education using educational simulation on the spatial ability and problem solving skills of tenth grade female students in Tehran. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design with control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all 10th grade female students in district 2 of Tehran city (1310 students) in the academic year 97-98. 60 of them (30 experimental group) and 30 control group were selected by convenience sampling method. were chosen. The research tools included a combination of two tests of the spatial ability of Montana and Paul Newton and Helen Bristol and a researcher-made problem solving test. Results: Findings showed that after controlling for pre-test effects, there was a significant difference in spatial ability between the two experimental and control groups. Therefore, it can be said that educational simulation was effective on students' spatial ability and problem solving skills. In mental rotation, spatial perception and spatial visualization, there was a significant difference between the two experimental and control groups, so it can be said that educational simulation was also effective in improving the components of students' spatial ability. Results: The results of the present study showed that the use of simulation in chemistry instruction affects the students 'spatial ability and problem solving ability and increases the students' ability to solve the problem of chemistry.