ERIC Number: EJ1426045
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0263-5143
EISSN: EISSN-1470-1138
Mindful Movements Matter: Differentiating Active Body Movements in Underprivileged Students' Learning of Physics Concepts
Seokmin Kang; MingTsan Lu; John B. Black; Sungyeun Kim
Research in Science & Technological Education, v42 n2 p412-430 2024
Background: The theory of embodied cognition claims that body interaction with the environment change how we think and constitute cognition. Accordingly, active learning enriches learning experiences which in turn lead to better learning. Purpose: Although learning by moving one's body is often regarded as active learning, not all body movements lead to better learning. To investigate the influence of different levels of body movements on learning, we developed embodied learning activities and implemented in elementary afterschool program. Sample: Twenty-seven fifth graders (12 girls, 15 boys) for Study 1 and forty-eight fifth graders (28 girls, 20 boys) for Study 2 were recruited from afterschool programs from two public elementary schools. Design and methods: Through two quasi-experimental studies, we compared student learning and their attitude about physics concepts. Study 1 compared learning and attitude between two groups of students depending on whether body movements correspond to knowledge representation embedded in a to-be-learned concept (congruent condition) or not (incongruent condition). In Study 2, a control group that did not engage in body movement-related learning activities, was added to observe the impact of body movement itself. Therefore, students in three groups (congruent, incongruent, no body movement group) were compared in their learning and attitude. Results: The results from Study 1 showed that the students in the congruent group showed better learning and higher attitude in science learning than those in the incongruent groups. Study 2 showed that the congruent group showed better learning and higher attitude than other groups. Also, there was no learning difference between the incongruent group and the control group. Conclusion: The studies showed that the students could benefit from the embodied lesson plan and the findings imply that a student's movements are to be elaborated and mindful considering knowledge representations embedded in a concept.
Descriptors: Elementary School Students, Grade 5, Disadvantaged Youth, Public Schools, Physics, Elementary School Science, Scientific Concepts, Student Attitudes, Physical Activities, Active Learning, Physical Environment, Interaction
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 5; Intermediate Grades; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New York (New York)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A