期刊名称：Review of International Geographical Education Online
电子版ISSN：2146-0353
出版年度：2014
卷号：4
期号：2
出版社：Review of International Geographical Education Online
摘要：In the educational learning process preconceptions are an important factor. Learners usually interpret new input on the basis of their own preconceptions that are the result of various experiences made before being co nfronted with the educational learning process. Hence, the investigation of preconceptions is a mai n task for educational research. This study examines the preconceptions of thirteen grade 7 student s (age s 12 and 13 years) on the topics "formation and location of deserts . " Semi - st ructured and problem - centered interviews were used to collect t he students' preconceptions. The following analysis was based on qualitative content analy sis methods. Regardi ng the formation of deserts, four basic preconceptions were identified, e.g. , "Wind amasses sand with the result that a desert forms . " All four preconceptions have t wo characteristics in common: the origin of sand is simultaneously their basic concept and a problem of comprehension when thinking about the formation of a desert. Additionally, in the students' imaginatio n all deserts are sand deserts. Concerning the location of deserts it can be stated that "heat" and "dryness" are the main factors, which are used when explaining the locatio n. At the same time, the students seem to have no basic spatial grids and orientation systems concerning the location of deserts i n the world that corresponds to s cientific conceptions.
关键词：preconceptions; desert formation; desert location; qualitative interview study
