Representational Gestures as Cognitive Artifacts for Developing Theories in a Scientific Laboratory

摘要: This research examines how representational gestures (Kita 2000), made by scientists during collaborative discussion in a biochemistry lab, are used formulating scientific theory. By analyzing digital video of lab meetings and interviews, we find that frequently to reference, modify, embody portions existing material structure such as models, diagrams, graphs. Representational appear play significant role both conceptualize communicate theories. We believe operate instantiations essential spatio-dynamic features not efficiently conveyed other modalities, like language graphical representations, and, such, resources for shaping theoretical understandings when collaborative, face-to-face activity. Gestures may also serve align cognitive processes “community practice” (Lave 1991) can package conjectures into single semiotic form be symbolically evoke rich, shared conceptual history. use framework provided distributed cognition embodied examine jointly artifacts produced modified the community practice theory construction.