A Study on How to Develop the Locomoting Viewpoint Ability in Science Education : Teaching Students about the Earth's Rotation

Abstract

In scientific study, the locomoting viewpoint ability performs an important role. Directional, symmetrical, and rotational concepts, (right and left, forward and backward, and angle and direction) are formed on the basis of the locomoting viewpoint concept. These spatial concepts are essential for students to be able to recognize the spatial extent of astronomical materials and the relative motion of astronomical bodies. In Japan there is no clear placement of this target in the unit lessons. Moreover, it is difficult to say how to develop the locomoting viewpoint ability in science education. It is necessary to create an effective teaching method and materials. Accordingly, in teaching about the earth's rotation in the astronomical lesson unit, the author focused on the development of the locomoting viewpoint ability by designating the necessary spatial concepts as the target of the unit and lesson. And also to achieve this goal, the author developed a group lesson material consisting of a transparent hemisphere that the students could produce in the lesson. So a practical curriculum was prepared with a new teaching target and a group lesson material, and lessons based on this curriculum were used with students in the first year of junior high school (seventh grade). The following results were obtained through lesson evaluation data and actual student activities: (1) The unit target and the lesson target on developing the locomoting viewpoint ability are sound. The group lesson material, which promoted the development of the locomoting viewpoint ability, is effective. The students developed the locomoting viewpoint ability, the mental operation that supports the spatial cognition concept ability. (2) The above-mentioned spatial recognition of directional, symmetrical, and rotational concepts and relative position were developed organically, and students were able to learn the heliocentric theory