Research on Learning

Students' understanding of climate change: Insights for scientists and educators part of SERC Print Resource Collection
M.V.R. Gowda, J.C. Fox, R.D. Madelky

part of SERC Print Resource Collection
Jeffries H., Stanisstreet M., Boyes E.
The prevalence of the ideas of Year I undergraduate biology students about the consequences, causes and cures of the 'greenhouse effect' was determined using a closed-form questionnaire, and the ...

How the public views climate change part of SERC Print Resource Collection
W Kempton
This article examines cultural models that U.S. voters use in an attempt to understand global climate change. It will suggest how popular misconceptions arise and how better communication could ...

Understanding the science of environmental issues: Development of a subject knowledge guide for primary teacher education part of SERC Print Resource Collection
Summers M., Kruger C., Childs A.
In the light of an increased concern for environmental education (especially in the context of sustainable development) in the UK, this study used questionnaire surveys to explore the understanding ...

Ontology and the Teaching of Earth System Science part of SERC Print Resource Collection
J.C. Libarkin, J.P. Kurdziel
Student ontological level is an important consideration for faculty interested in teaching Earth System Science. Interviews with 61 students enrolled in entry-level geology courses at two ...

Misconceptions and conceptual changes concerning continental drift and plate tectonics among Portuguese students aged 16-17 part of SERC Print Resource Collection
L. Marques, D. Thompson
The study investigates the misconceptions of Portuguese students aged 16-17 in an area of science education, earth science education, which is insufficiently researched. Students' ideas of the ...

part of SERC Print Resource Collection
R. McKenney, J. Webster
Although seafloor banding patterns are widely taught as a key piece of evidence for plate tectonics, little research has been conducted on student understanding of magnetism in a geological context. ...

Concept mapping to reveal prior knowledge and conceptual change in a mock summit course on global climate change part of SERC Print Resource Collection
S. Rebich, C. Gautier
The complex nature of climate change science poses special challenges for educators. Learners come to the classroom with prior knowledge on the topic, which serves as a foundation for further ...

Box Diagrams to Assess Students' Systems Thinking about the Rock, Water and Carbon Cycles part of SERC Print Resource Collection
D.F. Sibley, C.W. Anderson, M. Heidemann, J.E. Merrill, J.M. Parker, D.W. Szymanski
Box-diagrams of reservoirs and processes that describe the rock, water and carbon cycles were used in a general education course as instructional and assessment tools. Students overall success at ...

Supporting Student Conceptual Model Development of Complex Earth Systems Through the Use of Multiple Representations and Inquiry part of SERC Print Resource Collection
Karen S. Sell, Bruce E. Herber, Carol L. Stuessy, Janie Schielack
Students organize scientific knowledge and reason about issues in the Earth sciences by manipulating internally-constructed mental models and socially constructed, expressed, conceptual models. The ...