Re: Thinking Level of students

[Herbert H Gottlieb <herbgottlieb@JUNO.COM>]

On Mon, 10 Sep 2001 10:19:24 -0500 Tina Fanetti
<FanettT@QUEST.WITCC.CC.IA.US> writes:
> > > I assume we talking about
>     A) the basic new moon / 1st quarter / full moon geometry,
> Even under this assumption, is the message that:
>    1) They weren't born knowing it, and can't picture it until it
> has=
>  been
> covered in class?<<
>
> According to the research I have done and conducted, they have ideas
> before coming to class, just not the right ones.  They don't know
> the geometry that causes which Moon phase and most believe that moon
> phases are caused by shadows or blocking.
>
>  >>  2) The picture doesn't "stick" even after it has been covered
> in=
>  class
> in the usual way?<<
>
> It doesn't stick after being taught.  I surveyed students after
> takin=
> g an astronomy final in which the lunar phases were covered and they
> =
> could not tell me what caused the lunar phases or give a rough idea
> a=
> bout how far the earth and moon are from each other or a rough
> estima=
> te of the relative sizes.
>
> > >   3) They are intrinsically unable to grasp it, no matter how it
> i=
> s taught?<<
>
> Starting to wonder about this.....
>
> > >   4) They can't do it quickly using mental images alone, even
> thou=
> gh they
> could manage if given more time and/or pencil&paper and/or props to
> w=
> ork with?>>
>
> If I remember correctly, research has hinted that giving students
> pro=
> ps tends to increase the ability to get the answer right.. which
> woul=
> d point to a better conception.
>
>
> I think college students can think...they are just not encouraged.
> I=
>  know in my classes they groan and moan when I try to make them
> think=
> .
>
>
> > > > Geometric relationships in general, and the earth/moon/sun
> geometry in particular, is commonly introduced in 2nd grade, and
> stud=
> ents
> are expected to (mostly) "get it" by 3rd grade or 4th grade.  (You
> ca=
> n
> confirm this by using google to find a bunch of 3rd-grade
> syllabuses.=
>   I
> also checked with someone who teaches 3rd grade and has advanced
> trai=
> ning
> in developmental psychology.)<<<
>
> Well then something must be wrong somewhere because my college
> studen=
> ts don't get it.  Most have no idea what so ever of the Earth Moon
> Su=
> n Geometry
>
> Tins
>
>
>
>
> Meaning (4) would be no surprise -- and no problem.
>
> Bottom line:  I don't understand what the point is.....
>
> Tina Fanetti
> Physics Instructor
> Western Iowa Technical Community College
> 4647 Stone Ave
> Sioux City IA 51102
> 712-274-8733 ext 1429


Herb Gottlieb from New York City
(Where it's nice to live but I wouldn't
want to be a tourist here)
herbgottlieb@juno.com