Embodied schema and its application in understanding mathematical statistics for students.
Experimental prototype based on research in Tangible interaction design field emphasizing the role of bodily actions in the construction of primitive cognitive patterns.
Time period-30 days
Independent research
Abstract
Various research papers have indicated that tangible interfaces increase learnability and provide an innovative solution for educating children without overloading information.
The following article discusses that real interaction informed by embodied schemata can be used to prominently solve mathematical problems related to statistics at the elementary level of education.
The project aimed at developing a prototype informed by Image Schema to make the fundamental mathematical statistical concepts comprehensible for children and adults not familiar with the concepts
Restricted to two concepts for the purpose of prototype- Mean and Median derivation from a given data set.
Broader Impact
1
Engages kids attention to understand complex concepts new to them
2
Presents an exampler prototype for testing the use of embodied schemata in learning.
3
Similar computational models can be used to interpret multiple data sets with graphs involved.
Methedology
Invited participants on volunteering basis for the interview
2 Male participants volunteered
Aged 24-28
Graduate students in DATA SCIENCE, familiar with fundamental concepts of MEAN and MEDIAN
Participants were asked to explain the methods of finding MEAN and MEDIAN from a given data set. They were also asked what would be the requirements to translate this pen paper based method into a tangible tablet like interaction device.
Tagging of Image schema from the interview transcript
Using the interview transcript and the method described in the paper Designing with Image Schemas: Resolving the Tension Between Innovation, Inclusion and Intuitive Use, I tagged the metaphors such as " UP/ DOWN" from key words like PICK . The following table is an example of tagging based on which the interactions and prototype were designed.
Sentence
Tagged schema
First we PICK data from the table
Up/ Down
Multiply the data with frequency and add them together to get the Sigma......... put the resultant values in this table .
Collection , Container
Need to be able to SWITCH between the MEAN and MEDIAN templates
Cycle
............Jumping to multiple questions would be a good option
Path
Prototype
A prototype consisting of a table top interaction with functionalities based on embodied schemata.
Sketches were translated into a demonstrative prototype using a white board as the surface, pen as the picker, and magnets as the objects embodying mathematical functions.
Testing results
Participants for testing were adults and not children due to limit access to volunteers.
Observed another schema in the prototype testing which was not identified in initial research- NEAR/ FAR
(as noted by one participant- "The placement of the objects with functions were FAR from the CONTAINER"
One participant who was familiar with the fundamentals still preferred the pen and paper based method as it was quicker for him.
Participant who didnt know the formulas gained some understanding of the process to derive mean.
Participant pointed out the need of prompts to follow the steps on the screen itslef rather than facilitator
Conclusion
Complex data sets could be similarly incoporated to solve questions for MEAN MODE MEDIAN and RANGE with STEP DEVIATION involved.
The number of participants were limited hence the learnability cannot be questioned at this point. In order to test whether the prototype helps understanding the concepts in a fun , simpler manner, more research is needed.