Demonstrating understanding, a whole body experience? Can year one children show their science understanding through the use of gestures?

Abstract

This research project uses the methods of Crowder and Callinan and Sharp to assess year one children's (age 5–6) personal understanding of scientific concepts. This research project uses video recording as a primary resource of data collection within a case study approach using a participant observer method. Analysis supports the work of Crowder and Callinan and Sharp with one child demonstrating an understanding of a scientific concept that her scientific language did not transmit, therefore, answering the research question in the affirmative. This research, like others calls for more research to be carried out and offers a refined taxonomy to strengthen future research findings. More questions arise from this research such as: What effect does the type of questions asked by the teacher have on the type of gesture used? What is the effect of using gesture in teaching? And can gesture recognition be used by the teacher to aid with assessment?

Keywords:

• gesture
• scientific language
• science activities
• primary children