VAR: A battery of computer-based instruments to measure visuospatial processing

Research suggests that many educational phenomena depend on visuospatial processing, including science learning, multimedia interactions, visualizations, gesturing, and object manipulations. However, little is known about what specific abilities rely on visuospatial processing in any given learning scenario, including those about health and natural sciences. Moreover, it is also unclear which of these particular abilities is dependent on other variables such as cognitive load, interactivity, embodiment, and sex or gender. Consequently, we argue that measuring the abilities that comprise visuospatial processing will help to guide future research. In this chapter, we describe VAR (visuospatial adaptable resources), our recently developed battery of computer-based instruments to measure different spatial ability and visuospatial working memory tasks. The VAR battery includes two mental rotation tests, two spatial working memory instruments, two visual working memory tests, and a combination of dual visuospatial tasks of working memory. Notably, the instruments can be customized to meet the diverse needs of researchers and practitioners. Among the different options that can be adjusted, there is the inclusion of practices and instructions before the tests, the language of the instruments (English and Spanish), and the starting and ending difficulties. Also, a simple administrative Internet tool allows secure saving and retrieving of the data for further analysis.