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The Influence of Inquiry-Based Remote Observations via Powerful Optic Robotic Telescopes on High School Students’ Conceptions of Physics and of Learning Physics

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Abstract

Since the 1980s, studies have increasingly shown that traditional teaching causes a deterioration in students’ conceptions of physics and of learning physics. The present study examined the influence of an intervention on high school students’ conceptions of physics and of learning physics. The intervention included two components: a unique design of inquiry-based teaching of astrophysics and explicit nature of science (NOS) instruction. In the present study, we found a significant improvement in students’ conceptions of physics and of learning physics, in the study group, in most aspects examined. Another finding was that in most aspects, traditional teaching combined with an explicit NOS instruction did not change the students’ conceptions in most aspects examined.

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Notes

  1. See also https://lco.global

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Acknowlevdgments

We would like to thank the following:

The whole Faulkes Telescope Project team for allowing the students to use the telescopes network and for their support and advice all along. Especially, we would like to thank Dr. Paul Roche, Dr. Fraser Lewis, and Mrs. Alison Tripp for their support all along.

The Astronomer Mr. Ernesto Guido of the Italian Astronomical Society (Associazione Friulana di Astronomia e Meteorologia) for his support, advice, and willingness to help at all times.

Professor Meir Meidav and Doctor Noah Brosch, Tel Aviv University, for their guidance, which gave us the basis for designing and developing inquiry-based teaching of astrophysics, and for their support all along.

Mr. Moshe Reich, founder and Director of ACHERET Center: Multi-Cultural Researchers Fellowship Centre in the Galilee, Israel, for all his help and support with this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Acheret Center, Multi-Cultural Researchers Fellowship Center in the Galilee, Galilee, Israel

    B. Ron Zohar

  2. Oranim Academic College of Education, Kiryat Tivon, Israel

    R. Trumper

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  1. B. Ron Zohar
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  2. R. Trumper
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Correspondence to R. Trumper.

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Appendix. Students’ Conceptions of Physics and of Learning Physics Questionnaire

Appendix. Students’ Conceptions of Physics and of Learning Physics Questionnaire

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Zohar, B.R., Trumper, R. The Influence of Inquiry-Based Remote Observations via Powerful Optic Robotic Telescopes on High School Students’ Conceptions of Physics and of Learning Physics. J Sci Educ Technol 29, 635–645 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-020-09842-8

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