Event Title
Gesture Makes Abstract Science and Math Concepts Concrete for Learning
Location
Hart 117
Start Time
11-5-2017 1:45 PM
End Time
11-5-2017 2:15 PM
Description
In science and math domains that are abstract, complex, and not directly observable or manipulated in space and time (seasons, plate tectonics), gestures produced by both teachers and students play an important role in constructing meaning for students. Observation and production of gesture facilitate construction of meaning by making it possible for students to concretize and make visible, phenomena that they cannot see. Gestures convey ideas through imagery that are difficult to capture in speech alone. This may help students early in their acquisition of a new concept, to engage in the particular discourse that will eventually lead to conceptual formation and change in math and science domains. Based on my research, I will address gesture’s role in mathematical and scientific learning in several ways: 1) Through imagery, gesture makes abstract concepts concrete and perceptible, 2) Through peer and teacher-student interactions, gesture is used in the co-construction of shared representations.
Gesture Makes Abstract Science and Math Concepts Concrete for Learning
Hart 117
In science and math domains that are abstract, complex, and not directly observable or manipulated in space and time (seasons, plate tectonics), gestures produced by both teachers and students play an important role in constructing meaning for students. Observation and production of gesture facilitate construction of meaning by making it possible for students to concretize and make visible, phenomena that they cannot see. Gestures convey ideas through imagery that are difficult to capture in speech alone. This may help students early in their acquisition of a new concept, to engage in the particular discourse that will eventually lead to conceptual formation and change in math and science domains. Based on my research, I will address gesture’s role in mathematical and scientific learning in several ways: 1) Through imagery, gesture makes abstract concepts concrete and perceptible, 2) Through peer and teacher-student interactions, gesture is used in the co-construction of shared representations.
Comments
Moderator: Saritha Nellutla