Examining the Conceptual Understandings of Geoscience Concepts of Students with Visual Impairments: Implications of 3 D Printing
ii Dedication v Acknowledgments. vi Vita viii List of Tables xiii List of Figures xiv Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Purpose of the Study 6 Rationale for the Study 7 Research Questions 9 Significance of the Study 10 Definition of Terms 11 Chapter 2: Literature Review 14 Introduction 14 Theoretical Framework 15 Changing Mental Models 18 x Constructing Mental Models 19 Misconceptions 20 Mental Models in the Geosciences. 22 Flawed Mental Models 23 Mental Model Building Process 24 Student Drawings 25 Misconceptions in the Geosciences. 26 Militating Against Misconceptions 29 Using Student Drawings 30 Refutation and Cognitive Conflict 31 Use of Analogies and Metaphors 32 Use of Computer Based Instruction. 32 Other Promising Instructional Practices 33 Implications for Classroom Practice 34 Classroom Talk 36 Science Education for Students with Visual Impairments 38 Historical Perspective 39 Visualizing Without Vision 43 Inquiry Based Instruction 46 Tactile Graphics 48 3 D Printing 50 Conclusion 51 Chapter 3: Methodology 54 Introduction 54 Participants 55 Students 55 The Researchers 58 Setting. 58 School Setting 58 Classroom Setting 59