Papers by Darrell Rudmann
Abstract This study focuses on how college students explain basic astronomical phenomena and the ... more Abstract This study focuses on how college students explain basic astronomical phenomena and the nature of those explanations, moving beyond existing research of astronomy misconceptions and shedding new light on the nature of knowledge representation and the stability of knowledge. Fifty college students answered a questionnaire that asked for explanations of six classical astronomical phenomena (the solar system, day/night cycle, seasons, lunar phases, and solar and lunar eclipses) and were re-tested in an interview. ...
Abstract This study focuses on how college students explain basic astronomical phenomena and the ... more Abstract This study focuses on how college students explain basic astronomical phenomena and the nature of those explanations, moving beyond existing research of astronomy misconceptions and shedding new light on the nature of knowledge representation and the stability of knowledge.
Abstract 1. Past research in a number of fields confirms the existence of a link between cognitio... more Abstract 1. Past research in a number of fields confirms the existence of a link between cognition and eye movement control, beyond simply a pointing relationship. This being the case, it should be possible to use eye movement recording as a basis for detecting users' cognitive states in real time. Several examples of such cognitive state detectors have been reported in the literature. 2.
Abstract Two experiments examined auditory spatial facilitation of visual search performance unde... more Abstract Two experiments examined auditory spatial facilitation of visual search performance under conditions varying in auditory cue precision and visual distractor density. The auditory cue was spatially coincided with the target, was displaced from the target by 6, or was uninformative. Distractors were manipulated globally (throughout the field) and locally (within 6.5 of the target) separately at densities of 0%, 20%, and 80%.
Solving problems in a visuospatial domain, such as astronomy, may require not only knowledge abou... more Solving problems in a visuospatial domain, such as astronomy, may require not only knowledge about the phenomena within the domain but an ability to instantiate knowledge spatially to generate solutions as well. Spatial ability assessments and interviews of undergraduates show that problem-solving ability can be limited regardless of the scientific accuracy of an individual's causal beliefs about astronomy. Spatial ability was found to be somewhat positively correlated with problem solving performance, regardless of the causal beliefs an individual holds. Providing external aides (colored balls) for help with spatial reasoning improves performance, a further sign of the influence of spatial ability on problem solving. The specific causal explanation for a phenomenon an individual believes may itself be related to spatial ability. For learners to better understand and apply scientific explanations of astronomy, it may be necessary to provide spatial skills training as a component in instruction.
Uploads
Papers by Darrell Rudmann