From Action to Abstraction: Using the Hands to Learn Math.
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| Title: | From Action to Abstraction: Using the Hands to Learn Math. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Novack, Miriam A., Congdon, Eliza L., Hemani-Lopez, Naureen, Goldin-Meadow, Susan |
| Source: | Psychological Science (0956-7976). Apr2014, Vol. 25 Issue 4, p903-910. 8p. |
| Subjects: | Gesture, Learning, Cognitive development, Developmental psychology, Body language |
| Abstract: | Previous research has shown that children benefit from gesturing during math instruction. We asked whether gesturing promotes learning because it is itself a physical action, or because it uses physical action to represent abstract ideas. To address this question, we taught third-grade children a strategy for solving mathematical-equivalence problems that was instantiated in one of three ways: (a) in a physical action children performed on objects, (b) in a concrete gesture miming that action, or (c) in an abstract gesture. All three types of hand movements helped children learn how to solve the problems on which they were trained. However, only gesture led to success on problems that required generalizing the knowledge gained. The results provide the first evidence that gesture promotes transfer of knowledge better than direct action on objects and suggest that the beneficial effects gesture has on learning may reside in the features that differentiate it from action. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
| Copyright of Psychological Science (0956-7976) is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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