Is Interactivity a Good Thing

This paper investigates whether adding interactivity to diagrammatic representations aids learning. More specifically, the analyses focus on the extent to which 3D interactive diagrams facilitate the comprehension of a geometry concept, the stereographic projection, that is usually taught using 2D diagrams. Four Interactive Learning Environments (ILE) were built in order to test the effectiveness of different types of diagrammatic representation. Eighty undergraduate students took part in the study, each using one of the ILE versions to explore the concept of the stereographic projection and its application in crystallography and answering a multiple-choice test. The results suggest an interaction between previous knowledge, spatial ability and type of ILE.