Meanings of electrostatics interpreted through students' gestures

Abstract

Multimode and multiple representations have been one of the topics of investigations in science and maths education. The goal is to find more diverse representational forms and modes in order to make learning more significance. One line of study examines the different roles of auxiliary gestural representation during the scientific discourse in the classroom. Continuing this line of research, this paper observes the gestures of students. The gesticulation studied is among students working on empirical activities. The paper argues that the gestures of students performing experimental tasks are an auxiliary representational mode that can help to reveal the meaning of what they are building. With this aim in mind, and using the case study methodology, a high school student has his gesticulations analysed in an activity in experimental physics with a view to ascertaining his understanding of the scientific concepts taught.

Keywords:
Gesticulation; Semiotics; Electrostatics; Physics teaching