Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
The Twelfth International Congress of Educational Research, Rize, Türkiye, 25 - 28 Nisan 2019, ss.184-185
The main points of this article are that in size of the Sun, Earth and Moon and their position relatively and most
importantly the shape of the Earth concepts in the students’ mind.In this research there are three problem that
needs to be answered which are how the 5th grade students define the size and shape of the Sun, the Earth and
the Moon and their position relatively to each other, what misconception the students have in terms of the size
and shape of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon and their position relatively to each other and how the 5th grade
students image the size and shape of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon and their position relatively to each other
as three-dimensionally. In method there two section one of them is forced question questionnaire and interview
among the students who participate questionnaireWhen we look at the results, the terms are mixed. There is still
misconception about the shape of the earth. Moreover, the most misconception are encountered in the position
of sun, earth and moon. The students have trouble to understand the fact when is not compatible with their daily
experiences.
In methodology, forced-open question had been asked which was adapted by Vosniadou, Skopeliti and
Ikospentaki (2004) for the shape of the Earth. Then similar question has been added which was about the
position of Sun, Earth and Moon by relatively. The students draw picture related to the both the shape of the
earth and the position of sun, earth and moon relatively with each other. Convenient participant has been chosen
which I was their teacher in their science course. Two classrooms had been placed which was mostly consist of
40 students in each classroom.
Although, the visual imagine from internet, tv or documentary provide tremendous clue of the space, some of
the people cannot build bridges between what they assume and what they learnt. Astronomy is one of the
subjects where children meet great difficulties because of the inconsistencies between what is experienced and
what is taught (Kikas, 2006).
Cognitive theory concentrates on the conceptualization of students’ learning processes. It focuses on the
exploration of the way information is received, organized, retained and used by the brain.” (Thompson et al,
1996. P 11).
In the research, 13 students among the students who wrote earth has a shape of sphere wrote the earth also has a
shape of the ball. Besides, 9 students among the students who wrote earth has a shape of round wrote the earth
also has a shape of the ball. That seems that the ball shape is more related to each other in sphere shape,
moreover the research show that the percentage of the number of the students who wrote round, and ball
together is nearly same the number of the students who wrote sphere and ball together. Sphere, round and ball
have probably meaning equal thing in the mind of the students