Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004aas...205.5104w&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society Meeting 205, #51.04; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 36, p.1422
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
In this era of burgeoning astronomy education research, there is growing need for standardized assessment of both student comprehension of fundamental concepts and new and innovative teaching methods and interventions. The nature of light and the electromagnetic spectrum is the most-taught topic in introductory astronomy, yet students continue to struggle in mastering associated concepts such as Kirchhoff's laws of spectral analysis, blackbody radiation, Wien's law, the Steffan-Boltzmann law, and the nature and causes of emission and absorption lines. We are developing a Light Concept Inventory (LCI) that aims to assess individual students' conceptual understanding of light and spectroscopy within the context of introductory astronomy, to identify and classify misconceptions, as well as to gauge the effectiveness of instructional strategies and materials in modifying these specific initial misconceptions. The development of the LCI is motivated by predecessor instruments such as the Force Concept Inventory (FCI), the Astronomy Diagnostic Test (ADT), and the Lunar Phases Concept Inventory (LPCI), which have been successful in quantifying student conceptual understanding of Newtonian mechanics, basic astronomy concepts, and lunar phases respectively. Like the LPCI, the LCI focuses on a specific subset of astronomy concepts. Supplemental instruments such as these will provide depth to complement the breadth of the ADT. The development process of the LCI follows the techniques of classical and modern test theory to ensure the production of a reliable and valid test. The concept domain addressed by this test is shaped by the concepts that are most commonly taught within the astronomical community and are therefore deemed most important. Preliminary field-testing has taken place and will be followed up by additional testing with a revised version of the LCI in the coming months ahead. B.U. funding is provided in part by NSF Grant # DUE-0125992 and NASA GSRP Grant # NGT5-60482.
Brecher Kenneth
Prather Edward E.
Slater Timothy F.
Weeks Eddie
No associations
LandOfFree
Development of the Light Concept Inventory 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 Development of the Light Concept Inventory, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Development of the Light Concept Inventory will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1638265