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Gesture’s role as a powerful and versatile tool for instruction, especially in STEM domains, is well-established. However, many specific teaching moves accomplished through gesture remain understudied. Using interaction analysis, we examine how an introductory. university physics instructor uses gesture during whole-class discussion of graphical representations of energy conservation to synthesize multiple student groups’ solutions. This embodied, whole-class discussion orchestration move distills and summarizes the key points of the lesson while highlighting student contributions and addressing misunderstandings. 

An understanding of vectors and vector operations is crucial for success in physics, as this serves as the foundation for various essential concepts, including motion and forces. Previous research indicates that only a fraction of introductory physics students have a usable knowledge of vectors and vector operations, and that more attention should be given to how students make sense of vectors. We examined classroom video data from an introductory physics course wherein students worked collaboratively through learning activities to introduce vectors and vector operations. During these activities, students’ employment of gesture as a representational mode facilitated group sense-making. We propose a preliminary taxonomy of gestures for representing vector magnitudes, directions, and initial and terminal points. By identifying and characterizing the gestures used by students, we can gain insights into their learning processes and conceptual understanding of vectors, which can inform instructional design and teaching practices.