3D Object-Based Card-Sorting: A Method for Eliciting Multimodal Reasoning in Chemistry

Area of Science:

• Chemistry Education Research
• Cognitive Science
• Spatial Cognition

Background:

• Traditional card sorting methods have limitations in capturing multimodal reasoning.
• Understanding students' spatial reasoning in chemistry is crucial for complex concepts like molecular symmetry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate 3D object-based card sorting as a novel method for analyzing students' multimodal reasoning in chemistry.
• To explore how students reason about spatially complex chemical concepts using manipulable molecular models.

Main Methods:

• Developed a 3D object-based card sorting task incorporating physical or virtual molecular models.
• Collected and analyzed multimodal data, including gestures, model manipulation, and verbal reasoning from student interviews.
• Evaluated methodological integrity using the Journal Article Reporting Standards for Qualitative Research in Psychology.

Main Results:

• The method generated rich, multimodal data capturing fine-grained, process-level reasoning.
• Data provided insights into students' conceptual and epistemological resources during categorization.
• 3D object-based card sorting effectively made students' reasoning more visible and analyzable.

Conclusions:

• 3D object-based card sorting offers new research opportunities in spatial thinking, representation use, and embodied cognition in chemistry.
• The method has significant implications for both research and classroom applications in chemistry education.
• This approach enhances the analysis of multimodal student reasoning in science education.