Sixth Grade Indonesian Student Explanations Of Directions On Flat Maps And Globes, Of The Earth's Rotation To Cause Night And Day, And Of The Relative Positions Of The Earth, Moon, And Sun During An Eclipse

Dimyati, Surachman (2001) Sixth Grade Indonesian Student Explanations Of Directions On Flat Maps And Globes, Of The Earth's Rotation To Cause Night And Day, And Of The Relative Positions Of The Earth, Moon, And Sun During An Eclipse. Doctoral thesis, University of Iowa.

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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to elicit and analyze sixth grade students' explanations concerning concepts taught in the national Indonesian sixth grade science curriculum. In this study, students were asked to identify the cardinal directions on flat maps and a globe, to describe what causes night and day on the earth, to identify the direction of the earth's rotation, and to identify the relative positions of the earth, sun, and moon during either a solar or lunar eclipse. The findings in the study can be summarized as follows: 1. Eighty out of 88 students (91%) were able to explain what causes night and day. 2. Approximately 50% could identify the direction the earth rotates to cause night and day. 3. Using a solar system model, about 64% of the students could describe the relative position of the earth, sun, and moon during an eclipse . 4. Cultural differences affect student thinking. One student thought that Mecca had to be west of everywhere, not just west of Indonesia. 5. The way teachers teach seems to influence student thinking. It is easy for students to form the misconception that up is north. Most maps in classrooms are hung vertically. 6. Some students were confused by the globe. Teachers need to explain why the globe is tilted. Also, they need to help students understand how to determine the cardinal directions on a globe. More research is needed to determine what is needed to help students truly understand these concepts and to determine whether these concepts are best taught at the elementary level.

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