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Producing concept-motivated signs supports learning of STEM in American Sign Language
Rachel Sortino1, Christina Kim1, Thalia Guettler1
1Gallaudet University, Washington, DC, USA.
NPJ Science of Learning
|April 10, 2026
Summary
Deaf students learning STEM concepts benefit from concept-motivated signs, not English-motivated ones. Producing these concept-motivated signs themselves enhances embodied learning and improves STEM understanding.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Education
- Linguistics
Background:
- Deaf and hard of hearing students face challenges in STEM due to limited sign language resources.
- Embodied cognition, particularly through iconic gestures, has shown benefits for hearing students' learning.
- The effectiveness of different sign language styles for STEM education in deaf learners is underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if signed STEM lessons emphasizing English connections (EM) or concept connections (CM) support embodied learning.
- To compare the learning outcomes of deaf students using EM versus CM signed lessons.
- To explore the relationship between the production of specific sign types and learning gains.
Main Methods:
- Study 1: Developed and validated pairs of EM and CM signed lessons.
- Study 2: Compared learning from EM and CM signing styles in deaf participants.
- Assessed learning gains using pre- and post-tests and analyzed participants' signed summaries.
Main Results:
- Participants demonstrated learning gains from pre- to post-test, irrespective of signing style.
- No significant differences in learning were found between the EM and CM signing styles.
- Increased production of CM signs in summaries correlated with higher post-test scores, unlike EM signs.
Conclusions:
- Embodied learning benefits in STEM for deaf students appear to be linked to the production of concept-motivated signs.
- The findings suggest that active engagement with concept-based signing is crucial for enhancing STEM comprehension.
- Future research should focus on leveraging concept-motivated signing to improve STEM education for deaf learners.
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