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Using the hands to learn about the brain: Testing action-based instruction in brain anatomy
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Using the hands to learn about the brain: Testing action-based instruction in brain anatomy

Fey Parrill, Jeffrey J. Shymanski and Susan Wagner Cook
Applied cognitive psychology, Vol.37(5), pp.967-979
09/2023
DOI: 10.1002/acp.4093
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https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.4093View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Brain anatomy is typically taught using static images. We asked participants to use their own hands to represent the brain and perform gestures during learning. We measured learning via a pretest/postest design. We compared five video trainings in which participants heard similar audio and repeated terminology aloud. Conditions were: (1) Image: Participants saw images of a physical model of the brain. (2) Physical model: Participants saw hands pointing to the physical model. (3) Physical model + action: Participants performed actions on the physical model. (4) Hand model: Participants saw images of hands being used to represent the brain. (5) Hand model + action: Participants performed gestures seen in the video. All trainings improved post-test performance. Performance in the hand model condition was worse compared to conditions with action. We connect these findings to the larger claim that gesture benefits learning.
Psychology Social Sciences Psychology, Experimental

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