And now... Equations!

Details And now... Equations! And now... Equations!

Dec 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006aas...20912803s&link_type=abstract

2007 AAS/AAPT Joint Meeting, American Astronomical Society Meeting 209, #128.03; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society,

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

With the introduction of "Ranking Tests" some quantitative ideas were added to a large body of successful techniques for teaching conceptual astronomy.
We incorporated those methods into our classes, and added a new ingredient: On a biweekly basis we included a quantitative excercise: Students working in groups of 2-3 draw geometrical figures, say: a circle, and use some trivial geometry equations, such as circumference = 2 x pi x r, in solving astronomy problems on 3'x4' white boards.
A few examples included: Finding the distance to the moon with the Aristarchus method, finding the Solar Constant with the inverse square law, etc.
Our methodolgy was similar to problem solving techniques in introductory physics. We were therefore worried that the students may be intimidated. To our surprize, not only did most students succeed in solving the problems, but they were not intimidated at all (that is: after the first class...) As a matter of fact, their test results improved, and the students interviewed expressed great enthusiasm for the new method.
Warning: Our classes were relatively small <40 studets). For larger classes TA help is needed.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

And now... Equations! 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 And now... Equations!, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and And now... Equations! will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1161005