Perceptual supports for sensemaking: a case study using multi agent based computational learning environments

Many studies have examined how learners make sense of the traditionally difficult ideas of levels and emergence in complex systems by interacting with visuospatial multi agent based models. In this poster, we review these findings through the lens of human basic perceptual/representational systems. We argue that many of learners' observed strategies and explanations surrounding the ideas of levels and emergence are supported by visualizations that leverage perceptual systems related to objects, motion, and geometry.