ERIC Number: EJ734523
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-May
Pages: 25
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0263-5143
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Teaching Future Teachers Basic Astronomy Concepts--Sun-Earth-Moon Relative Movements--at a Time of Reform in Science Education
Trumper, Ricardo
Research in Science & Technological Education, v24 n1 p85-109 May 2006
In view of students' alternative conceptions about basic concepts in astronomy, we conducted a series of constructivist activities with future elementary and junior high school teachers aimed at changing their conceptions about the cause of seasonal changes, and of several characteristics of the Sun-Earth-Moon relative movements like Moon phases, Sun and Moon eclipses, and others. The activities concerning the characteristics of the Sun-Earth-Moon relative movements and their results are reported. The experimental class as well as the control groups improved their grasp of basic astronomy concepts at a statistically significant level. Regarding subjects relevant to this study (Sun-Earth-Moon relative movements), only the experimental class and one of the control groups showed a statistically significant improvement, and in both cases the experimental class made the most impressive progress of all. (Contains 4 tables, 2 graphs, 1 photograph, 1 figure, and 1 note.)
Descriptors: Astronomy, Science Instruction, Preservice Teacher Education, Preservice Teachers, Experimental Groups, Control Groups, Constructivism (Learning), Fundamental Concepts, Concept Formation, Scientific Concepts, Student Improvement, Science Activities
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A