Gestures have been found to be helpful to people in many cognitive and daily activities, such as speaking, counting, learning, and problem solving. However, different gestures benefit people to different degrees, and people use gestures in different ways to assist thinking and learning. From an embodied cognition perspective, gesture is seen as a simulated action. Therefore, to further understand the mechanisms of gesture’s effects on thinking will directly help us harness embodied cognition theories to guide teaching and learning. In the literature, it is widely known that gesture not only reflects thinking, but also actively promotes thinking and learning. However, the mechanisms that account for gesture’s effects on cognition remained obscure to us. To better understand how different types of gestures benefit thinking and learning, Study 1 was conducted with 31 participants to investigate how teaching big (n=15) and small gestures (n=16) as a problem solving strategy influenced the actual gesture use and performance. The results suggested that the small gesture might possibly be a more effective gesture, because people who were taught small and used small gestures had the highest accuracy percentage on the primary task. However, using the small gesture did not significantly lower cognitive load compared to using the big gesture. Based on these findings, Study 2 was conducted with 100 adults to further investigate how teaching different types of gestures influenced learners’ gesture use, performance, learning, and cognitive load. In this study, the participants were randomly assigned to three groups, where they were taught to solve a molecular structure problem using small (n=25), big (n=50), or no gestures (n=25). Then they were left in a quiet room to solve 15 molecule questions independently. Their answers and time spent on each question were recorded. A dual-task paradigm was used as an objective measure of cognitive load, and a NASA Questionnaire was used as a subjective measure of cognitive load. At the end, participants were asked to answer some transfer questions. Throughout the study, all participants’ gestures and body movements were recorded by two cameras. The findings from the two studies suggested that teaching different types of gestures had some influence on people’s gesture use, performance, learning, and cognitive load. Specifically, small gestures taught as a problem-solving strategy were adopted more easily and more effectively used than big gestures and body movements. Questions that were answered through small gestures seemed to have a slightly higher accuracy percentage, but were not necessarily related to lowered cognitive load. The study also found that when people were taught gesture as a problem solving strategy and then asked to use it, they took some time at the very beginning to try and practice, and then gradually transitioned to using no gestures. In both studies, their thinking time, gesture time, gesturing density decreased gradually, without sacrificing accuracy. These findings contributed to both embodied cognition theories and gesture literature, and also shed light on instructional design in an educational setting.

Esta dissertação apresenta um estudo aprofundado do material cerâmico do sítio Gramado situado no município de Brotas, Vale Médio do Rio Tietê, SP, acondicionado no Museu de Arqueologia da USP desde 1994, associado à tradição Tupiguarani. A pesquisa envolveu diversas abordagens metodológicas e técnicas: análise da distribuição das peças cerâmicas no sítio, mapeamento de densidade; análise de atributos cerâmicos pautada na metodologia de pesquisa de literatura pretérita; análise de vestígios químicos e fluorescência de raios-X, com o intuito de compreender aspectos relacionados aos pigmentos químicos, pasta cerâmica e possíveis atribuições de uso dos fragmentos cerâmicos; reconstituição da cadeia operatória, desde a escolha de materiais até a definição de formas e traços, identificação de pigmentos, aplicação de engobo, processo de secagem e tempo/temperatura de queima de uma peça. Todas as análises tiveram como eixo norteador a Experimentação como forma de compreender atitudes corporais impressas na argila, partindo de escolhas tecnológicas e artísticas do grupo estudado. A análise de distribuição mostrou que ao redor de onde foi encontrada a urna funerária que levou à descoberta do sítio, há grandes concentrações de fragmentos (centenas por m2) que demonstram que o sítio é promissor para novas escavações. A análise de tributos cerâmicos mostrou grande diversidade de formas, decorações, espessuras, que serviram de base para a abordagem da experimentação. A dominância foi de decorações plásticas, mas com pinturas claramente associadas à tradição tupiguarani. A análise de pinturas reproduziu padrões geométricos, ricos em fundos brancos, faixas transversais vermelhas e rica ornamentação em preto. As pesquisas com fluorescência de raios-X indicaram que as pastas são relativamente homogêneas e que as pinturas são de natureza mineral. O conjunto de análises mostrou que as pinturas foram aplicadas pela técnica do engobo, ou seja, pigmentação mineral antes da queima, quando as peças atingem o ponto de couro. A análise de atributos e a experimentação permitiram também reconstruir os passos da cadeia operatória e esclarecer que as pinturas eram aplicadas antes da queima e que as decorações corrugadas também estão associadas a gestos naturais para a união de roletes e não são, necessariamente, intenções decorativas. A experimentação mostrou que a cerâmica necessita de um tempo preciso para a aplicação de pinturas e que a preparação das peças exige grande domínio da técnica, bem como condições sociais adequadas para a produção de peças, sua secagem e queima. Assim a experimentação corroborou a hipótese de que a cerâmica expressa também características culturais e sociais. Este trabalho demonstrou que o estudo do gestual reflete, não somente questões individuais pertinentes ao artesão, mas também as relações sociais e organizacionais de uma sociedade marcadas no material cerâmico. / This dissertation presents a deep study on pottery material related to tupiguarani tradition from Gramado archeological site, located at Brotas county, middle Tietê valley, São Paulo State, Brasil. These materials were deposited in University of São Paulo Museum of Archeology and Ethnology (MAE-USP), since 1994. This research used several approaches and techniques, including distribution analysis, density mapping, ceramic attribute analysis, chemical vestiges analysis, X-ray fluorescence, experimentation approach and research in previous literature, all them aiming to understand features related to pottery, possible uses, reconstitution of \"chaine operatoire\" (operating chain). The analysis begins at material choice, reaching pigment identification, engobe application, drying process, temperature and time burning process. All analysis had as leading axis the \"experimentation\" approach, as a way for comprehension of body attitude printed in clay. This analysis started from artistic and technological choices from the studied population. The spatial distribution analysis showed that, where the funerary vessel it was found (that lead to the discovery of the archeological site). There were some interesting ceramic fragment concentrations (hundreds per square meter) that demonstrate that this site is very rich and promising for new excavations. The ceramic attribute analysis showed a broad diversity of forms, decorations, thicknesses and served as basis for experimentation research. It was found the domination of plastic decorations, but many paintings, clearly related to \"tupiguarani\" tradition. The painting analysis reproduced geometric patterns, rich in white backgrounds, red transversal rows, and rich in black drawings. The x-ray fluorescence analysis showed that ceramic paste was relatively homogeneous and that paintings had mineral nature. The analysis showed that paintings were set by the engobe technique, what means that mineral stains were applied before burning, when ceramics was reaching a certain humidity level called \"ponto de couro\" (literally leather point). That point is the humidity that the piece is suitable to receive engobe and fix it so after drying is suitable to go to oven. The attribute analysis and experimentation approach allowed reconstructing steps of a plausible operating chain, clarifying that painting were applied before burning and corrugate decoration was associated to natural gests used when connecting clay rolls, not necessary related to decorative motivation. The experimentation approach showed that the ceramic pieces need a precise time for painting application (engobe) and that the piece fabrication demands a deep domination of pottery techniques, as well as particular social conditions, suitable for pottery production, correct dying and proper controlled burning. So the experimentation approach has corroborated the idea that the pottery also express cultural and social features, expressed in clay. This work demonstrated that the gesture study reflects, not only, individual aspects, but as well social relations, organizational aspects of a society, printed in burned clay.

Esta dissertação apresenta um estudo aprofundado do material cerâmico do sítio Gramado situado no município de Brotas, Vale Médio do Rio Tietê, SP, acondicionado no Museu de Arqueologia da USP desde 1994, associado à tradição Tupiguarani. A pesquisa envolveu diversas abordagens metodológicas e técnicas: análise da distribuição das peças cerâmicas no sítio, mapeamento de densidade; análise de atributos cerâmicos pautada na metodologia de pesquisa de literatura pretérita; análise de vestígios químicos e fluorescência de raios-X, com o intuito de compreender aspectos relacionados aos pigmentos químicos, pasta cerâmica e possíveis atribuições de uso dos fragmentos cerâmicos; reconstituição da cadeia operatória, desde a escolha de materiais até a definição de formas e traços, identificação de pigmentos, aplicação de engobo, processo de secagem e tempo/temperatura de queima de uma peça. Todas as análises tiveram como eixo norteador a Experimentação como forma de compreender atitudes corporais impressas na argila, partindo de escolhas tecnológicas e artísticas do grupo estudado. A análise de distribuição mostrou que ao redor de onde foi encontrada a urna funerária que levou à descoberta do sítio, há grandes concentrações de fragmentos (centenas por m2) que demonstram que o sítio é promissor para novas escavações. A análise de tributos cerâmicos mostrou grande diversidade de formas, decorações, espessuras, que serviram de base para a abordagem da experimentação. A dominância foi de decorações plásticas, mas com pinturas claramente associadas à tradição tupiguarani. A análise de pinturas reproduziu padrões geométricos, ricos em fundos brancos, faixas transversais vermelhas e rica ornamentação em preto. As pesquisas com fluorescência de raios-X indicaram que as pastas são relativamente homogêneas e que as pinturas são de natureza mineral. O conjunto de análises mostrou que as pinturas foram aplicadas pela técnica do engobo, ou seja, pigmentação mineral antes da queima, quando as peças atingem o ponto de couro. A análise de atributos e a experimentação permitiram também reconstruir os passos da cadeia operatória e esclarecer que as pinturas eram aplicadas antes da queima e que as decorações corrugadas também estão associadas a gestos naturais para a união de roletes e não são, necessariamente, intenções decorativas. A experimentação mostrou que a cerâmica necessita de um tempo preciso para a aplicação de pinturas e que a preparação das peças exige grande domínio da técnica, bem como condições sociais adequadas para a produção de peças, sua secagem e queima. Assim a experimentação corroborou a hipótese de que a cerâmica expressa também características culturais e sociais. Este trabalho demonstrou que o estudo do gestual reflete, não somente questões individuais pertinentes ao artesão, mas também as relações sociais e organizacionais de uma sociedade marcadas no material cerâmico. / This dissertation presents a deep study on pottery material related to tupiguarani tradition from Gramado archeological site, located at Brotas county, middle Tietê valley, São Paulo State, Brasil. These materials were deposited in University of São Paulo Museum of Archeology and Ethnology (MAE-USP), since 1994. This research used several approaches and techniques, including distribution analysis, density mapping, ceramic attribute analysis, chemical vestiges analysis, X-ray fluorescence, experimentation approach and research in previous literature, all them aiming to understand features related to pottery, possible uses, reconstitution of \"chaine operatoire\" (operating chain). The analysis begins at material choice, reaching pigment identification, engobe application, drying process, temperature and time burning process. All analysis had as leading axis the \"experimentation\" approach, as a way for comprehension of body attitude printed in clay. This analysis started from artistic and technological choices from the studied population. The spatial distribution analysis showed that, where the funerary vessel it was found (that lead to the discovery of the archeological site). There were some interesting ceramic fragment concentrations (hundreds per square meter) that demonstrate that this site is very rich and promising for new excavations. The ceramic attribute analysis showed a broad diversity of forms, decorations, thicknesses and served as basis for experimentation research. It was found the domination of plastic decorations, but many paintings, clearly related to \"tupiguarani\" tradition. The painting analysis reproduced geometric patterns, rich in white backgrounds, red transversal rows, and rich in black drawings. The x-ray fluorescence analysis showed that ceramic paste was relatively homogeneous and that paintings had mineral nature. The analysis showed that paintings were set by the engobe technique, what means that mineral stains were applied before burning, when ceramics was reaching a certain humidity level called \"ponto de couro\" (literally leather point). That point is the humidity that the piece is suitable to receive engobe and fix it so after drying is suitable to go to oven. The attribute analysis and experimentation approach allowed reconstructing steps of a plausible operating chain, clarifying that painting were applied before burning and corrugate decoration was associated to natural gests used when connecting clay rolls, not necessary related to decorative motivation. The experimentation approach showed that the ceramic pieces need a precise time for painting application (engobe) and that the piece fabrication demands a deep domination of pottery techniques, as well as particular social conditions, suitable for pottery production, correct dying and proper controlled burning. So the experimentation approach has corroborated the idea that the pottery also express cultural and social features, expressed in clay. This work demonstrated that the gesture study reflects, not only, individual aspects, but as well social relations, organizational aspects of a society, printed in burned clay.

L’apparition de la télé-échographie à la fin des années 1990 a largement contribué à l’améliorationdes capacités de prise en charge des patients. Aujourd’hui, le laboratoire PRISME bénéficie d’unsavoir faire reconnu dans la conception de systèmes de télé-échographie robotisée. L’objectif deces travaux de thèse est d’apporter une contribution scientifique et technique au projet ANR-PROSIT,qui vise à la mise en oeuvre d’un robot de télé-échographie innovant. Une étude du geste du praticienen milieu clinique a été menée afin d’en déterminer les caractéristiques cinématiques. Réalisée àl’aide du système de capture de mouvement Vicon Nexus, cette analyse a contribué à l’établissementdes spécifications du futur robot. Sa structure mécanique a fait l’objet d’une attention particulière. Unearchitecture parallèle sphérique a été sélectionnée, étudiée puis optimisée via un algorithmegénétique en fonction des critères d’espace de travail, de dextérité et de compacité. L’architectureainsi obtenue est ensuite analysée sur des aspects de collisions et d’inaccessibilité. Pour le contrôlede ce robot, l’utilisation d’une interface haptique à l’aspect proche d’une sonde d’échographie estproposée. Dotée d’un système de retour d’effort et d’une centrale inertielle fiabilisée par un filtre deKalman adaptatif, cette nouvelle interface a été testée et validée par le système Vicon Nexus. / Since the end of the nineties, the tele-echography has been contributing to improve the taking carecapacities of patients. Today, the PRISME laboratory has a recognized expertise in the design ofrobotic tele-echography systems. The objective of this thesis is to provide scientific and technicalsupport to the ANR-PROSIT project. It aims to design of an innovative tele-echography robot. Anexpert gesture study has been carried out in clinical environment to determine its kinematiccharacteristics. It has been performed using the motion capture system Vicon Nexus and itcontributed to establish the specifications of the future robot. The mechanic structure of this robot hasbeen minutely taken in consideration. The spherical parallel mechanism has been selected, studiedand optimized using a genetic algorithm with respect of criterion such as workspace, dexterity andcompacity. The resulted architecture is then analyzed regarding collisions and inaccessibilityaspects. To control this robot, the use of a haptic device with the same shape of an ultrasound probeis proposed. It provides force feedback and it is instrumented with an inertial measurement unit,processed by an adaptative Kalman filter. This new interface has been tested and validated by ViconNexus system.