Many researchers have documented the difficulties for learners of different ages and preparations in understanding basic astronomical concepts. Traditional instructional strategies and communication media do not seem to be effective in producing meaningful understanding, or even induce misconceptions and misinterpretations. In line with recent proposals for pedagogical sequences and learning progressions about core concepts and basic procedures in physics and astronomy education, in this paper we suggest an intermediate, essential step in the teaching path from the local geocentric view of the Earth–Sun system to a heliocentric one. With this aim we present data collected over a day and a year from an instrument we call the ‘parallel globe’, a globe positioned locally homothetic to the Earth. Some analyses are suggested, in particular of the phenomenon of illumination of the Earth and its variations, that are consistent with the proposed instructional objectives.

Rossi, S., Giordano, E., Lanciano, N. (2014). The parallel globe: a powerful instrument to perform investigations of Earth’s llumination. PHYSICS EDUCATION, 50(1), 32-41 [10.1088/0031-9120/50/1/32].

The parallel globe: a powerful instrument to perform investigations of Earth’s llumination

ROSSI, SABRINA
Primo
;
GIORDANO, ENRICA
Secondo
;
2014

Abstract

Many researchers have documented the difficulties for learners of different ages and preparations in understanding basic astronomical concepts. Traditional instructional strategies and communication media do not seem to be effective in producing meaningful understanding, or even induce misconceptions and misinterpretations. In line with recent proposals for pedagogical sequences and learning progressions about core concepts and basic procedures in physics and astronomy education, in this paper we suggest an intermediate, essential step in the teaching path from the local geocentric view of the Earth–Sun system to a heliocentric one. With this aim we present data collected over a day and a year from an instrument we call the ‘parallel globe’, a globe positioned locally homothetic to the Earth. Some analyses are suggested, in particular of the phenomenon of illumination of the Earth and its variations, that are consistent with the proposed instructional objectives.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Astronomy and physics education; parallel globe
English
2014
50
1
32
41
PED/501731/PAP PED-100219.R1
none
Rossi, S., Giordano, E., Lanciano, N. (2014). The parallel globe: a powerful instrument to perform investigations of Earth’s llumination. PHYSICS EDUCATION, 50(1), 32-41 [10.1088/0031-9120/50/1/32].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/63205
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