RUME 26
2024
Omaha, Nebraska
Raise Your Hand if You Are Overloaded: The Role of Gestures in Proofs Comprehension
Page: 277
Activities related to reading and understanding mathematical proofs are notoriously challenging for college students. On top of applying advanced logico-mathematical knowledge, these activities require the reader to process and operate on a substantial amount of information. Failure to successfully navigate the incoming stream of information may result in cognitive overload and impede one’s ability to make progress on the task. This case study investigates how an undergraduate student, David, used his hands to overcome the cognitive load he experienced when reading a proof of the Two-Color Theorem. The findings suggest that in the absence of other modes of offloading (e.g., using pen and paper, figurative materials, or technology), hand gesturing may serve as a powerful and convenient offloading mechanism.