Explaining Math: Gesturing Lightens the Load
A study was conducted on how learning and comprehension is enhanced by gesturing. Many people use various hand and facial gesturing when they are engaged in a conversation with another person. People from all ages, races, and cultural backgrounds use movements of their hands and body when they talk to another person. Although theory states that gesturing is nothing more than hand waving, researchers believe there is more meaning than simple hand waving. The study wanted to see the reason behind the gesturing and how it affects what is learned or remembered from the conversation. Nonverbal communication can be as loud as verbal communication. The way a person moves their body or the facial gestures that they make while talking can say many things. Nonverbal communication can denote comprehension, boredom, excitement, sympathy, or an array of many other feelings. People even use nonverbal gestures when the listener cannot see them, such as when they are talking on the telephone. Nonverbal communication can s
Gesturing also lowers the cognitive load of the speaker. Both children and adults remembered a significantly larger portion of items when they were gesturing in comparison to when they were not gesturing. According to this study, children and adults learned and remembered math explanations and lists of words or letters a lot better with the use of hand gesturing and non-verbal communication. Gesturing 2Method of Study The goal of this study was to determine the impact of gestures on the speaker's cognitive load. Gesturing is used as a form of communication that is generally not verbalized orally. After they completed the math problems, they were given a list of items to remember. This research study did show a significant increase in the child and in the adult cognitive levels. Discussion Many people often use gestures when they are trying to say something or explain a concept to another person. However, does nonverbal communication and gesturing aid in remembering important information that was relayed in the conversation? Does gesturing increase cognition? How can gesturing assist a student in learning and remembering mathematical skills? This research project aimed to answer those questions. Nonverbal communication can show the listener a wide range of various emotions. If it is not said verbally, chances are it is clearly stated though the process of gesturing or non-verbal communication. For example, when explaining a concept the ideas are verbalized. Verbal and nonverbal communication and gesturing work together to help the speaker relay the messages that he/she is sending. Forty children were tested individually on twenty addition problems and thirty-six adults were tested on twenty-four factoring problems. Results The study wanted to determine if gesturing on math explanations affect the memory.
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