• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.489-500
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• 2005

The objective of this study is to examine the cognitive process that undergoes a middle student’s conceptual change about the universe by the cognitive conflict, using science history materials as a teaching strategy. Four eighth graders were selected and classified by three cognitive level. Students were interviewed and conducted to an inquiry activities regarding their viewpoint about the universe after each class, and their conceptual change patterns were analysed from pre-test and post-test. This study showed that each student held dissimilar astronomical preconceptions and various misconceptions about celestial motion. Students at the formal operational stage and transitional stage experienced the conceptual change from geocentricism to heliocentricism by instructional model upon the science history materials. Student at the concrete operational stage had either unscientific conception, no conception, or could not have a conceptual change even when being presented with an environment that arouses cognitive conflict ($R^2$: Phase change of Venus and its Rise and set time). They ended up having a cognitive change from geocentricism to heliocentricism by solving another problem ($R^2$: Relation between visible diameter and position of Mars). After the instruction, a conceptual achievement progress was reported with a $10\%$ improvement. Therefore, the instruction model based upon science history was effective on student’s scientific conceptual change.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the lesson using the newly developed Phase Change Model of Venus can change ninth graders' geocentrical concept related to the progression of the phase of Venus. In order to know students' concept change of the progression of the phases of Venus, test sheets and a questionnaire regarding solar systems were developed and used pre and post test. The results showed that many students have an astronomical preconception of geocentricism, and some students have an especially poor scientific understanding of the solar system. However, there were significant changes in students' conceptual levels (p<.05) after teaching with the Venus's Phase Change Model. Therefore, teaching with the Phase Change Model of Venus was effective on students' scientific conceptual change from geocentricism to heliocentricism.