Students' understanding of earthquakes and volcanic events : a cross-age study in Taiwan
Students' understanding of earthquakes and volcanic events : a cross-age study in Taiwan
This research investigates the development of concepts critical to the scientific study of earthquakes and volcanoes amongst Primary school, Junior and Senior High School students in Taiwan, a country in which earthquakes are a common phenomenon and hazard. It investigates how children understand these phenomena and how their notions develop at different ages.
The data was gathered by means of a series of one-to-one interviews with students in Year 3 (age 8-9) and Year 6 (age 11-12) of Primary School, year 3 in Junior High (14-15) and Year 3 in Senior High school (age 17-18). Additional data was obtained by asking all students to submit one drawing each of a volcano and an earthquake. Preparatory to the main research undertaken in schools in Taiwan, a pilot study was conducted with students from two of the same age groups in England, as a result of which some modifications were made to the interview schedule.
The interview responses were analysed according to experts’ understanding of earthquakes and volcanoes and comparison was made across age/study levels.
The analysis suggests that the understanding of concepts proceeds unevenly with age, and shows that a significant proportion of concepts taught at a particular age may not be fully grasped by students. These findings lead to the proposal for a combinative learning model, in which young pupils could be supported in mastering important and essential concepts in the curriculum through the existing approach but older pupils supported by a rotational approach which also relates to the development of combinative learning.
The results of the main study have relevance for syllabus design and pedagogical practice in Earth Science, as currently taught in Taiwanese schools, as well as for earthquake preparedness amongst the general population.
University of Southampton
Chueh, Shih-Kuang
8db7ac7d-380f-40d8-a483-e8027861a482
2007
Chueh, Shih-Kuang
8db7ac7d-380f-40d8-a483-e8027861a482
Chueh, Shih-Kuang
(2007)
Students' understanding of earthquakes and volcanic events : a cross-age study in Taiwan.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
This research investigates the development of concepts critical to the scientific study of earthquakes and volcanoes amongst Primary school, Junior and Senior High School students in Taiwan, a country in which earthquakes are a common phenomenon and hazard. It investigates how children understand these phenomena and how their notions develop at different ages.
The data was gathered by means of a series of one-to-one interviews with students in Year 3 (age 8-9) and Year 6 (age 11-12) of Primary School, year 3 in Junior High (14-15) and Year 3 in Senior High school (age 17-18). Additional data was obtained by asking all students to submit one drawing each of a volcano and an earthquake. Preparatory to the main research undertaken in schools in Taiwan, a pilot study was conducted with students from two of the same age groups in England, as a result of which some modifications were made to the interview schedule.
The interview responses were analysed according to experts’ understanding of earthquakes and volcanoes and comparison was made across age/study levels.
The analysis suggests that the understanding of concepts proceeds unevenly with age, and shows that a significant proportion of concepts taught at a particular age may not be fully grasped by students. These findings lead to the proposal for a combinative learning model, in which young pupils could be supported in mastering important and essential concepts in the curriculum through the existing approach but older pupils supported by a rotational approach which also relates to the development of combinative learning.
The results of the main study have relevance for syllabus design and pedagogical practice in Earth Science, as currently taught in Taiwanese schools, as well as for earthquake preparedness amongst the general population.
Text
1114952.pdf
- Version of Record
More information
Published date: 2007
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 466285
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/466285
PURE UUID: 80086001-0634-4658-8428-7370e2890e7e
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 05 Jul 2022 05:03
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 20:36
Export record
Contributors
Author:
Shih-Kuang Chueh
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics