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Reach out
Dr Mary Kay Hemenway
Astronomy Educator, University of Texas and McDonald Observatory, USA
For "talking" rather than websites, I think one of the most important things is to make them face their naive conceptions. One technique is to use the KWL approach: Take a piece of paper, fold it in thirds, write "what do I Know" on the first third. Then, write "what do I WANT to know" on the second. Pass in for teacher to review. After lesson, return papers and write "What did I LEARN" on the third part. The first part is usually a real eye-opener for the instructor, and the second gives an idea of what will grab their interest.
I am very big on using models. I often use the "scientific models" survey from "Modelling the Universe" as a start to a workshop, and I recommend it for teachers to use in their classrooms.
The National Science Teachers Association in the USA has an excellent book on models: 'Understanding Models in Earth and Space Science'. Whether to use physical models (as opposed to computer models or conceptual models), analogies, images, etc depends upon the topic you are trying to convey and the age level of the learner.
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