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Bartley JE, Riedel MC, Salo T, Boeving ER, Bottenhorn KL, Bravo EI, Odean R, Nazareth A, Laird RW, Sutherland MT, Pruden SM, Brewe E, Laird AR. Brain activity links performance in science reasoning with conceptual approach. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2019; 4:20. [PMID: 31814997 PMCID: PMC6889284 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-019-0059-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how students learn is crucial for helping them succeed. We examined brain function in 107 undergraduate students during a task known to be challenging for many students-physics problem solving-to characterize the underlying neural mechanisms and determine how these support comprehension and proficiency. Further, we applied module analysis to response distributions, defining groups of students who answered by using similar physics conceptions, and probed for brain differences linked with different conceptual approaches. We found that integrated executive, attentional, visual motion, and default mode brain systems cooperate to achieve sequential and sustained physics-related cognition. While accuracy alone did not predict brain function, dissociable brain patterns were observed when students solved problems by using different physics conceptions, and increased success was linked to conceptual coherence. Our analyses demonstrate that episodic associations and control processes operate in tandem to support physics reasoning, offering potential insight to support student learning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael C. Riedel
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Taylor Salo
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Emily R. Boeving
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | | | - Elsa I. Bravo
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Rosalie Odean
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Alina Nazareth
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Robert W. Laird
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | | | - Shannon M. Pruden
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Eric Brewe
- Department of Physics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Education, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Teaching and Learning, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Angela R. Laird
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
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