Exploring the Seasons Phenomenon: a Comparative Study with Real and Virtual Models

PDF (ελληνικά)
Published: Apr 19, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/codiste.9990
Keywords:
astronomy real models seasons phenomenon virtual models
Adamantia Lambropoulou
University of Patras
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3727-8425
Charilaos Tsihouridis
University of Patras
Nikolaos Mitrakas
University of Patras
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9897-047X
Antonios Karavasilis
University of Patras
Abstract

In the present paper, a comparative investigation of the effectiveness of two teaching approaches is carried out, regarding the phenomenon of seasons and related astronomy concepts. The first teaching approach incorporates the use of a self-built based on the interdisciplinary STEM approach real model while the second the use of a 3D virtual simulated model. 63 high school students participated in the research, who, through appropriately structured worksheets, collaboratively investigated the phenomenon of the seasons. The method followed included the use of a pre and post-test questionnaire as well as a focus group discussion. The first results of the research highlight small differences in terms of the learning results of the two approaches, the increased active involvement of students and the strengthening of the motivation to participate in the educational process.


Article Details
  • Section
  • Προφορικές Ανακοινώσεις
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Azizah, S. N., Akhsan, H., Muslim, M., & Ariska, M. (2022). Analysis of college students misconceptions in astronomy using four-tier test. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2165(1), 012004. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2165/1/012004
Bostan Sarıoğlan, A., & Küçüközer, H.(2015). From elementary to university students’ ıdeas about causes of the seasons. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 12(2), 3-20. Ανακτήθηκε από: https://scispace.com/pdf/from-elementary-to-university-students-ideas-about-causes-of-56ufrufn5t.pdf
Cheah, W.-H., Mat Jusoh, N., Aung, M. M. T., Ab Ghani, A., & Mohd Amin Rebuan, H. (2023). Mobile Technology in Medicine: Development and Validation of an Adapted System Usability Scale (SUS) Questionnaire and Modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to Evaluate User Experience and Acceptability of a Mobile Application in MRI Safety Screening. Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging, 33(01), 036–045. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1758198
Jansri, S. & Ketpichainarong, W. (2020). Investigating In-service Science Teachers Conceptions of Astronomy and Determine the Obstacles in Teaching Astronomy in Thailand. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 6(4), 745–758. https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.6.4.745
Mitrakas, N., Tsihouridis, C., Batsila, M., & Vavougios, D. (2023). Electromagnetic waves and their quantum nature: Starting from “Scratch”. Στο M. E. Auer, W. Pachatz, & T. Rüütmann (Επιμ.), Learning in the age of digital and green transition. ICL 2022 (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, τ. 633, 730–741). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-26876-2_69
Mitrakas, N, Tsihouridis, C & Vavougios D. (2024). Using Mixed Reality in the Educational Practice: An Inquiry-Based Process of the Fluid Expansion–Contraction Phenomena by Pre-Service Teachers. Education Sciences, 14(7), 754. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14070754
Salimpour, S., Bartlett, S., Fitzgerald, M. T., McKinnon, D. H., Cutts, K. R., James, C. R., Miller, S., Danaia, L., Hollow, R. P., Cabezon, S., Faye, M., Tomita, A., Max, C., de Korte, M., Baudouin, C., Birkenbauma, D., Kallery, M., Anjos, S., Wu, Q., Chu, H.E., Slater, E., & Ortiz-Gil, A. (2021). The Gateway Science: A review of astronomy in the OECD school curricula, including China and South Africa. Research in Science Education, 51(4), 975–996. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-020-09922-0
Taylor, I., Barker, M & Jones, A. (2003). Promoting mental model building in astronomy education. International Journal of Science Education, 25(10), 1205-1225. https://doi.org/10.1080/950069022000017270a
Tsihouridis, C., & Mitrakas, N. (2025). The phenomenon of seasons through a hyper-interactive 3D environment: Aiming at highlighting prospective teachers’ creativity. Στο M. E. Auer & T. Rüütmann (Επιμ.), Futureproofing engineering education for global responsibility. ICL 2024 (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, τ. 1281, 72–83. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-83520-9_7
Tsihouridis, C., Mitrakas, N., Batsila, M., & Vavougios, D. (2024). A holistic view of using real and virtual models in teaching astronomy concepts. Στο M. E. Auer, U. R. Cukierman, E. Vendrell Vidal, & E. Tovar Caro (Επιμ.), Towards a hybrid, flexible and socially engaged higher education. ICL 2023 (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, τ. 900, 104–115). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-52667-1_12
Tsihouridis,C., & Vavougios, D. (Denis). (2023). Experimental Environments in PER: A Critical and Comparative Evaluation of the International Literature—Trends. Στο M. F. Taşar & P. R.L. Heron (Επιμ.), The International Handbook of Physics Education Research: Teaching Physics , 4-1 4-41. AIP Publishing LLC. https://doi.org/10.1063/9780735425712_004
Tsihouridis, C., Vavougios, D., Ioannidis, G. S., Alexias, A., Argyropoulos, C., & Poulios, S. (2014). Using sensors and data-loggers in an integrated mobile school-lab setting to teach Light and Optics. 2014 International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning (ICL), 439–445. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICL.2014.7017813
Zaki, S. (2015). Geographical Concept Seasons Related Misconceptions Held by School Students. RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary 03(06), 209-212. Ανακτήθηκε από: https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.1285924
HEnAstron² - Hyper interactive ENvironment of ASTRONomy² (χ.χ.), https://www.henastron.gr