outer-jessie's Diaryland Diary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- the non-essay I intend to get this completed application out today. Next day mail to Arizona, arrival tomorrow. Problem with this: the essay. Naturally. Here is the idea: list five issues in your field. Write about one of them -- its significance, pros and cons, and your stance. For simplicity's sake, I'm using astronomy education as my field. Five issues in it? Um....and why it's important? Um...and my stance? Oh dear. Here's what I'm not submitting. For your perusal. Five Current Issues in Astronomy Education 1) How do students conceive of physical models in astronomy? 2) How do misconceptions about astronomy develop? 3) What can educators do to draw out and correct these misconceptions? 4) How can astronomy education be used to motivate non-achieving students? 5) How can the general public's comprehension of astronomy be improved? And now, the essay: Young children aren't the only ones who believe that we have summer when the earth is closest to the sun. Drill a passer-by on the street, and you'll likely get the same explanation. Why is this idea so prevalent? It seems to make sense. It also makes sense to believe that within your television set are all the people and things you see when you turn it on. Closer inspection and common sense reveal that this is not the case. Why, then, does informing your passer-by that the earth is actually further from the sun when the northern hemisphere experiences summer, induce confusion rather than enlightenment? The trouble with astronomical concepts and the physical models used to describe them is that they are frequently three-dimensional. 3-D models can be difficult to internalize, thus limiting their usefulness when called upon by, for instance, queries from a random astronomer on the street. In the mind of your passer-by, the simple but inaccurate two-dimensional model resides in the place where the correct model should be. Now that the previous model's inconsistency has been demonstrated, perhaps your passer-by will allow you to set the record straight. In the case of the seasons, a visual aid may do the trick. Perhaps your student's understanding can be triggered by a thought experiment; perhaps she would prefer to see the math. People have different ways of understanding concepts, and may need varied approaches to the subject matter. Too often, these needs are not being met in the classroom. The good news, however, is that they can be. essay is over It occurred to me, typing this up, that the essay lacks cohesiveness, logical progression, and a point. Which is why I'm not using it. In short, it sucks. I'll forgive myself this horrific transgression for no other reason than the fact that I finished it at 4 this morning. Still, there's no getting around the fact that I have to rewrite it, and make it good this time. True, my admission to the program may be a given, but if it's not, and I submit something shitty for my writing sample...better just make this good. Too bad I have NO IDEA what I'm talking about. By the way, that thing may be a piece of crap, but it is still copyright outer-jessie in every way, shape, and form. I thank you. 9:49 a.m. - 2002-10-03 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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