Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Oct 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997amjph..65..987z&link_type=abstract
American Journal of Physics, Volume 65, Issue 10, pp. 987-996 (1997).
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
16
Educational Aids, Course Design And Evaluation, Historical Astronomy And Archaeoastronomy, And Other Topics In Fundamental Astronomy And Astrophysics, Instrumentation, Techniques, And Astronomical Observations
Scientific paper
An innovative, conceptually based instructional model for teaching large undergraduate astronomy courses was designed, implemented, and evaluated in the Fall 1995 semester. This model was based on cognitive and educational theories of knowledge and, we believe, is applicable to other large postsecondary science courses. Major components were: (a) identification of the basic important concepts and their interrelationships that are necessary for connected understanding of astronomy in novice students; (b) use of these concepts and their interrelationships throughout the design, implementation, and evaluation stages of the model; (c) identification of students' prior knowledge and misconceptions; and (d) implementation of varied instructional strategies targeted toward encouraging conceptual understanding in students (i.e., instructional concept maps, cooperative small group work, homework assignments stressing concept application, and a conceptually based student assessment system). Evaluation included the development and use of three measures of conceptual understanding and one of attitudes toward studying astronomy. Over the semester, students showed very large increases in their understanding as assessed by a conceptually based multiple-choice measure of misconceptions, a select-and-fill-in concept map measure, and a relatedness-ratings measure. Attitudes, which were slightly positive before the course, changed slightly in a less favorable direction.
Bisard Walter
Hall Shannon
Mattern Nancy
Schau Candace
Teague Kathleen W.
No associations
LandOfFree
Conceptual astronomy: A novel model for teaching postsecondary science courses does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Conceptual astronomy: A novel model for teaching postsecondary science courses, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Conceptual astronomy: A novel model for teaching postsecondary science courses will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1768785