Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-15-2018

Publication Title

Physical Review Physics Education Research

Volume

14

Issue

1

First page number:

1

Last page number:

27

Abstract

Multiple studies show that spatial thinking skills contribute to students’ performance in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. The study of astronomy is no different with the understanding of many astronomical phenomena requiring spatial thinking skills. This paper describes traditional and contemporary approaches to characterizing and measuring spatial thinking skills and suggests how they inform research in astronomy education. It summarizes previous literature in astronomy education research and categorizes the research approaches of astronomy education peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings that explicitly consider the role of spatial thinking. Additionally, it recommends directions and curricular approaches for astronomy education research informed by current research in spatial thinking.

Disciplines

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning | Science and Mathematics Education

File Format

application/pdf

File Size

320 Kb

Language

English

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