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Development and Application of a Situated Apprenticeship Approach to Professional Development of Astronomy Instructors

Edward E. Prather and Gina Brissenden

2008, AER, 7 (2), 1, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008016

Online Publication Date: 22 December 2008

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Professional development for astronomy instructors largely focuses on enhancing their understanding of the limitations of professor-centered lectures while also increasing awareness and better implementation of learning strategies that promote a learner-centered classroom environment. Given how difficult it is to get instructors to implement well-developed and innovative teaching ideas, even when these instructors are supplied with significant and compelling education research data, one must wonder what is missing from the most commonly used professional development experiences. This article proposes a learner-centered approach to professional development for college instructors, which we call situated apprenticeship. This novel approach purposely goes beyond simple awareness building and conventional modeling, challenging instructors to actively engage themselves in practicing teaching strategies in an environment of peer review in which participants offer suggestions and critiques of each other’s implementation. Through this learner-centered teaching and evaluation experience, instructors’ preexisting conceptual and pedagogical understandings of a particular instructional strategy are brought forth and examined in an effort to promote a real change of practice that positively impacts both their core pedagogical content knowledge and their skills in successfully implementing these teaching strategies. We believe that the adoption of our situated apprenticeship approach for professional development will increase the frequency and success of college instructors’ implementation of research-validated instructional strategies for interactive learning.

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01.40.-d	Education
01.40.gb	Teaching methods and strategies

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Grade 9 Astronomy Study: Interests of Boys and Girls Studying Astronomy at Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School

Mirjan Krstovic, Laura Brown, Merin Chacko, and Brenda Trinh

2008, AER, 7 (2), 18, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008017 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: 22 October 2008

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In this report, we discuss the interests of Grade 9 boys and girls studying astronomy at Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario. A total of 152 Grade 9 academic students were asked to rate their interest levels in various astronomy topics on a scale of 0–3, where 0 represented no interest and 3 represented a high level of interest. We also asked the students to rate all the in-class activities on the same scale. Our analysis of the data suggests that there are many similarities in interest levels in various astronomy topics between boys and girls. In addition, boys and girls expressed similar preferences for in-class astronomy activities with only minor differences, suggesting similar learning styles in astronomy for boys and girls at the Grade 9 level.

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01.40.ek	Secondary school
01.40.-d	Education
01.40.G-	Curricula and evaluation
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus
01.40.gb	Teaching methods and strategies

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How Do Preservice Teachers’ Religious Beliefs Affect Their Understanding of Astronomy?

Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres

2008, AER, 7 (2), 25, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008018

Online Publication Date: 27 October 2008

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This article describes research on conceptions of preservice science teachers in their fourth year of undergraduate studies relating to: whether Earth is the center of the Universe; whether the sky is a literal vault or dome; whether Earth is flat or round; the timeline of the formation of the Universe; and the age of the Earth. The results, which indicate that religion has a strong influence on teachers’ astronomical beliefs, are quite startling and potentially helpful to professors of astronomy who have an opportunity to correct preservice teachers’ misconceptions before these teachers go into the field.

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01.40.G-	Curricula and evaluation
01.40.Di	Course design and evaluation
01.70.+w	Philosophy of science
01.40.J-	Teacher training
01.40.gb	Teaching methods and strategies

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Impact of Modifying Activity-Based Instructional Materials for Special Needs Students in Middle School Astronomy

Julia K. Olsen and Timothy F. Slater

2008, AER, 7 (2), 40, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008019

Online Publication Date: 26 November 2008

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Middle school students who have special needs because they are learning disabled require targeted attention in our nation’s pursuit of improved science achievement for all students. In early 2006, the Lawrence Hall of Science conducted a national field test of a newly developed GEMS (Great Explorations in Math and Science) space science curriculum package for middle school students. During this field testing, we modified a subset of the curriculum materials to reflect the principles of best practices in working with special needs students, specifically learning disabled students, in a subset of the field test classrooms to determine if these students scored differently on the assessments than students in the larger assessment database. Results suggest that many students, not just those with special needs, demonstrate achievement gains using instructional materials purposefully aligned with research-informed principles of best practices for special needs students.

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01.40.ek	Secondary school
01.40.eg	Elementary school
01.50.-i	Educational aids
01.40.Fk	Research in physics education
01.40.gb	Teaching methods and strategies

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Regulations and Ethical Considerations for Astronomy Education Research III: A Suggested Code of Ethics

Erik Brogt, Tom Foster, Erin Dokter, Sanlyn Buxner, and Jessie Antonellis

2008, AER, 7 (2), 57, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008020 | Cited 2 times

Online Publication Date: 11 November 2008

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We present an argument for, and suggested implementation of, a code of ethics for the astronomy education research community. This code of ethics is based on legal and ethical considerations set forth by U.S. federal regulations and the existing code of conduct of the American Educational Research Association. We also provide a fictitious research study as an example for working through the suggested code of ethics.

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01.40.Fk

Research in physics education

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Effect of Night Laboratories on Learning Objectives for a Nonmajor Astronomy Class

Ian C. Jacobi, Heidi Jo Newberg, Darren Broder, Rose A. Finn, Anthony J. Milano, Lee A. Newberg, Allan T. Weatherwax, and Douglas C. B. Whittet

2008, AER, 7 (2), 66, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008021 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: 16 December 2008

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We tested the effectiveness of hands-on nighttime laboratories that challenged student misconceptions, using a new assessment exam to measure learning in a nonmajor introductory astronomy class at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. We were able to increase learning at the 8.0 sigma level on one of the Moon phase objectives that was addressed in a cloudy night activity. There is weak evidence of some improvement on a broader range of learning objectives. We show evidence that the overall achievement levels of the four sections of the class are correlated with how much clear weather the sections had for observing even though the learning objectives were addressed primarily in activities that did not require clear skies. We describe our first attempt to cycle the students through different activity stations in an effort to handle 18 students at a time in the laboratories, and the lessons we learned from this.

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01.40.G-	Curricula and evaluation
01.40.-d	Education
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus
01.40.Fk	Research in physics education

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Virtual Field Trips: Using Google Maps to Support Online Learning and Teaching of the History of Astronomy

Christopher J. Fluke

2008, AER, 7 (2), 74, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008022

Online Publication Date: 16 October 2008

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I report on a pilot study on the use of Google Maps to provide virtual field trips as a component of a wholly online graduate course on the history of astronomy. The Astronomical Tourist Web site (http:∕∕astronomy.swin.edu.au∕sao∕tourist), themed around the role that specific locations on Earth have contributed to the development of astronomical knowledge, was created using the Google Maps application programming interface. Students used this Web site as a component of their assessment and to help motivate and support online discussions. The site also aims to help build a stronger online community among geographically distributed students as they share in the creation of an Internet resource that will be used and enhanced by others over time. I describe the structure of the Web site and how it was integrated into student essays, and I provide a summary of student responses to this new learning and teaching approach. This project is an example of how Web 2.0 applications can be used to build new learning environments.

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01.40.G-	Curricula and evaluation
01.40.-d	Education
01.75.+m	Science and society
01.40.gb	Teaching methods and strategies
01.50.H-	Computers in education

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New Resource Guide on Women in Astronomy at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific Web Site

2008, AER, 7 (2), 97, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008023

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.75.+m

Science and society

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Online Academic Integrity

Kendra Sibbernsen

2008, AER, 7 (2), 98, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008024

Online Publication Date: 10 October 2008

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As online instruction increases in popularity, a recurring topic of concern among educators and administrators is maintaining integrity in evaluation of student performance in online courses. Suggestions are presented to encourage academic integrity in online courses, including ways to promote the academic integrity statement or honor code of the school, techniques for designing activities for online astronomy classes, testing online, enlisting new technologies such as digital cameras, and using antiplagarism software.

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01.40.-d	Education
01.40.gb	Teaching methods and strategies
01.50.H-	Computers in education

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The Astronomical Society of the Pacific Announces Two Career Opportunities

2008, AER, 7 (2), 103, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008025

Online Publication Date: 04 February 2009

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.85.+f

Careers in physics and science

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Letter to AER Readers

2008, AER, 7 (2), 104, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008026

Online Publication Date: 04 February 2009

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.40.-d

Education

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Symposium 260 of the International Astronomical Union to be held January 19–23, 2009, in Paris

2008, AER, 7 (2), 106, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008027

Online Publication Date: 04 February 2009

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.10.Fv

Conferences, lectures, and institutes

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Book Review—Astrochemistry: From Astronomy to Astrobiology by Andrew M. Shaw

William H. Waller

2008, AER, 7 (2), 107, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008028

Online Publication Date: 04 February 2009

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Abstract Unavailable

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91.62.Fc	Astrobiology and extraterrestrial materials
01.30.Vv	Book reviews
01.40.-d	Education
01.30.M-	Textbooks
01.30.mm	Textbooks for graduates and researchers
01.30.mp	Textbooks for undergraduates
01.30.mr	Textbooks for students in grades 9-12
01.30.mt	Textbooks for students in grades K-8

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Book Review—Max Goes to Jupiter: A Science Adventure with Max the Dog by Jeffrey Bennett, Nick Schneider, and Erica Ellingson

Sidney C. Wolff

2008, AER, 7 (2), 110, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008029

Online Publication Date: 04 February 2009

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.30.Vv	Book reviews
01.30.-y	Physics literature and publications
96.00.00	Solar system; planetology

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Introduction to the Demonstrations Section

2008, AER, 7 (2), 111, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008030

Online Publication Date: 04 February 2009

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus
01.40.-d	Education

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An Interactive Demonstration of Solar and Lunar Eclipses

Joanne Rosvick

2008, AER, 7 (2), 112, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008031

Online Publication Date: 08 September 2008

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This article describes a demonstration of solar and lunar eclipses using hoops and balls of different sizes to represent the orbits and bodies involved. The demonstration presents the students with a three-dimensional view of the arrangement of the Earth, its Moon, and their respective orbits, and illustrates why people on Earth do not experience eclipses every month.

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01.40.-d	Education
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus
96.00.00	Solar system; planetology

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A Student-Constructed Three-Dimensional Model of Stars in Nearby Space

Tracy Furutani

2008, AER, 7 (2), 122, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008032

Online Publication Date: 08 September 2008

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The construction of a three-dimensional model of star distribution within 17 light years of the Sun gives students a hands-on method to understand what might otherwise involve a dry discussion of stellar types and distribution in the Milky Way. The model construction is accompanied by a worksheet that guides students in exploring different information given by the model. Though no assessment of student understanding of stellar distribution or other related topics was done, anecdotal student feedback has been positive, both in the understanding of the material and in the method of delivery.

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01.40.-d	Education
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus
98.35.-a	Characteristics and properties of the Milky Way galaxy
97.00.00	Stars

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Demonstrations Illustrating the Difficulties Astronomers Face When Observing Astronomical Objects

Jeff Stanger

2008, AER, 7 (2), 132, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008033

Online Publication Date: 08 September 2008

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This article describes a series of demonstrations used to illustrate the difficulties that astronomers face when they observe astronomical objects from Earth. The concepts covered include atmospheric distortion, atmospheric absorption, and the effect of the inverse square law on the intensity of light. These demonstrations were presented using predict-observe-explain tasks that promote active engagement and highlight misconceptions.

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01.40.-d	Education
01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus
96.00.00	Solar system; planetology

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A Doppler Shift Speed Gun

Reid Sherman

2008, AER, 7 (2), 141, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008034

Online Publication Date: 08 September 2008

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This is a fun and educational lab for any audience at the middle school level and above to learn about the Doppler shift and waves in general. The participants should review the basic properties of waves and, with some Socratic questioning, form their own hypothesis of what will happen to a sound wave when it is emitted by a moving object. Participants then construct their own instrument and test their hypothesis in both a qualitative and quantitative manner. The main part of this lab involves using a computer program and simple math to correctly measure the speed of an object, using only the waves emitted from it.

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01.40.ek	Secondary school
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus
01.50.Lc	Laboratory computer use
01.50.Qb	Laboratory course design, organization, and evaluation

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Demonstrating Absorption Spectra Using Commercially Available Incandescent Light Bulbs

Jennifer J. Birriel

2008, AER, 7 (2), 147, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008035 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: 08 September 2008

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In introductory astronomy courses, I typically introduce the three types of spectra: continuous, absorption line, and emission line. It is standard practice to use an ordinary incandescent light bulb to demonstrate the production of a continuous spectrum, and gas discharge tubes to demonstrate the production of an emission line spectrum. The concept of an absorption spectrum is more difficult for students to grasp. A variety of commercially available light bulbs can be used to demonstrate absorption spectra. Here I discuss the use of specialty incandescent light bulbs to demonstrate the phenomenon of absorption of the continuous spectrum produced by a hot tungsten filament. The bulbs examined include the GE Reveal bulb, yellow anti-insect lights, colored party bulbs, and an incandescent “black light” bulb. The bulbs can be used in a lecture or laboratory setting.

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01.40.-d	Education
01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus
01.40.gb	Teaching methods and strategies

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Kinesthetic Life Cycle of Stars

Erika L. Reinfeld and Mark A. Hartman

2008, AER, 7 (2), 158, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008036

Online Publication Date: 22 September 2008

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We present a kinesthetic approach to learning about the life cycle of stars. Using a simplified two-layer model for stellar structure, learners recreate kinesthetically the birth, life, and death of low- and high-mass stars. Examples of how this activity has been used in several settings outside school time provide additional resources for extending student learning about this topic.

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01.40.ek	Secondary school
01.40.-d	Education
01.52.+r	National and international laboratory facilities
01.75.+m	Science and society
97.00.00	Stars

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The Milky Way Model

Robert Bryan Friedman

2008, AER, 7 (2), 176, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2008037

Online Publication Date: 17 October 2008

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In this article, I describe constructing a scale model of our galaxy—the Milky Way—and using this model to teach modern astronomy. The Milky Way model expands on concepts usually explored in the more common solar system model. The Milky Way model presents an opportunity to probe a broad array of physical processes and astrophysical systems, as well as multiple astronomical coordinate systems and far more expansive spatial scales. This exercise is kinetic, interactive, and designed to be done in large spaces (such as a gymnasium floor) with students at the middle school to high school levels.

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01.40.-d	Education
01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus
98.00.00	Stellar systems; interstellar medium; galactic and extragalactic objects and systems; the Universe
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus
01.50.Lc	Laboratory computer use
01.50.Qb	Laboratory course design, organization, and evaluation
01.40.gb	Teaching methods and strategies

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August 2008

Volume 7, Issue 2, pp. 1-180

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