Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to develop a critical cognitive training program for enhancing spatial ability, and to assess its effectiveness by examining scores on tests of spatial ability administered after training. Pretest and posttest control group design was used in this study. The program consisted of the learning through group activities and involved three steps: reflect, connect, and apply. The samples comprised 90 vocational students from two classrooms, 45 students from each, from the department of Mechanical Technology, Eastern College of Technology, Chonburi Province. The participants were selected by using single stage cluster sampling and were then assigned to experimental and control groups. The research instruments were a critical cognitive skills training program and spatial ability testing. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and t-test. The results were as follows: 1. The cognitive training program was judged suitable for enhancing the spatial ability of vocational students. 2. The average scores of spatial ability in the experimental group after training with the developed program were statistical significantly higher than before training (p< .05). 3. The average scores of spatial ability in the experimental group were statistically significantly higher than the control group (p< .05).