First-to-third-person perspective shifting, causal inference making, and gesture use correlate positively with explanatory and transfer scores, while information retrieval and handwriting correlate negatively¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · causal r1–r2 · q3 · i3 large
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i3 Causal inference making correlated positively (r =.447) and information retrieval negatively (r = -.467) with explanatory knowledge scores. → Polly K. Lai 2026 q3 i3 First-to-third-person perspective shifting (r =.548) and gesture use (r =.538) correlated positively with transfer problem scores. → Polly K. Lai 2026 (2)

Evidence¶

Polly K. Lai 2026¶

Polly K. Lai. (2026). Enhancing learning of nanoscale phenomena: the role of agent-based models and embodied reasoning. Instructional Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-025-09776-x

q3 · i3 · causal · r1

Correlational analysis of reasoning strategies against post-test scores (Table 8) in the same 27-student study; "generating causal inferences was positively correlated with higher post-test explanatory knowledge scores (r =.447, p =.019)" and retrieval was negatively correlated. No strong correlations with declarative scores were found.

"Additionally, generating causal inferences was positively correlated with higher post-test explanatory knowledge scores (r =.447, p =.019), while relying on information retrieval was strongly negatively correlated with scores (r = -.467, p =.014)."

Polly K. Lai 2026 (2)¶

Polly K. Lai. (2026). Enhancing learning of nanoscale phenomena: the role of agent-based models and embodied reasoning. Instructional Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-025-09776-x

q3 · i3 · causal · r2

Correlational analysis of transfer-problem scores with strategy use showed "a strong positive correlation" for perspective shifting (r =.548, p =.003) and for gesture use (r =.538, p =.004); handwriting/drawing use was negatively linked to transfer scores (r = -.567, p =.002).

"There was a strong positive correlation between students who used a first-to-third-person perspective to explain ideas and their scores on transfer problems (r =.548, p =.003)."

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Inferencing — predictor: learners who differ on it differ in outcomes
• Writing Skills — predictor: learners who differ on it differ in outcomes

Related Claims¶

• ABM students engage more frequently in embodied reasoning strategies—first-to-third-person perspective shifts, causal inference making, and gestures—than video students, who rely more on third-person perspectives and information retrieval — related
• Undergraduate students learning nanoscience with agent-based models show greater gains in explanatory knowledge than students learning with visualization videos — related
• The agent-based model group outperforms the visualization video group on transfer problems applying size-dependent properties to novel contexts — related