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Sit Still! How Opportunity to Move Affects Students' Thinking

Sun, April 30, 10:35am to 12:05pm, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Floor: Meeting Room Level, Room 210 A

Abstract

It is often assumed when students fidget they are not on task. Two within-subject studies challenge this assumption by testing the effect of allowing fidgeting on three types of thinking: speeded mental math (Study 1), brainstorming and memory (Study 2). Study 1 showed that student’s performance on speeded math was no different when performed in a regular chair compared to a chair that facilitated wiggling. In Study 2, students had a significantly higher number of creative ideas when sitting in a wiggle chair compared to sitting in a regular chair with “remain still” instructions. Memory did not differ. Results suggest allowance of natural movement during seated work will not hurt and may help performance.

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