I have found that many students come to my class with confused notions
about the various motions of planet Earth in particular. Once
they think they know something, it is
very hard to replace fallacy with fact. I think I understand the
source of the confusion. First, the different motions of Earth
are taught one at
a time, separately. The teacher did not combine the motions, and
it
is not likely that the student will think to do so. Second,
learning
from text and two dimensional diagrams (including videos), students
without
well developed spatial perception are not able to visualize the four
dimensional reality of what is being explained.
I believe that the activities given here will greatly improve the
students conceptualization of the combined motions of Earth within the
Solar System. At the same time they will help to develop the
students' skills
of spatial perception.
Teachers: As long as copyright
information and proper citation is included, these activities may be
printed out, copied, and used for teaching purposes.
