Undergraduates' Knowledge of Age of Events and Duration of Processes in Geoscience

• In Event: 30.081 - Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: 30.081-4 - Science Learning and Teaching Posters II

Abstract

Understanding deep time is critical in science. This study investigates undergraduates’ knowledge of age of events and duration of processes in geoscience. 224 undergraduates answered an open-response test. Knowledge of each event or process is characterized using the concept of collective landmarks: important events with estimates by a group of students that meet specific precision and accuracy criteria. Patterns of responses across students were determined using Latent Profile Analysis. The relationship between knowledge of age and knowledge of duration was also studied. Formation of universe and Earth’s revolution around the Sun met criteria for collective landmarks. Five classes of responses were identified for age of events, and three classes for duration. Students were more knowledgeable about age than about duration.

Authors

• Osman Aksit, North Carolina State University

• Cesar Delgado, North Carolina State University

• Kathryn Green, North Carolina State University