2010/08/01 by Michael Wittmann, Michael C. Wittmann, Wittmann, Michael C. · 1 citation
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Language and cultural evolution #Language, Metaphor, and Cognition #Speech and dialogue systems #physics.ed-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1008.0216
8 pages, 5 figures, published in the conference proceedings of the 2010 International Conference of the Learning Sciences
arxiv created 2010/08/02 · arxiv updated 2010/08/03
Students in interviews on a wave physics topic give answers through embodied actions which connect their understanding of the physics to other common experiences. When answering a question about wavepulses propagating along a long taut spring, students' gestures help them recruit information about balls thrown the air. I analyze gestural, perceptual, and verbal information gathered using videotaped interviews and classroom interactions. I use conceptual blending to describe how different elements combine to create new, emergent meaning for the students and compare this to a knowledge-in-pieces approach.