Activity-based Approach

To Teaching Astrophysics

At the Level of General Education

Activity-based Approach

To Teaching Astrophysics

At the Level of General Education

K. Y. Michael WongC. W. Chan

B. L. Hu

K. Y. Michael WongC. W. Chan

B. L. Hu

Introduction

University education should be broadly based. Appreciation of science is important to the

general education of non-science majors.

Introduction

University education should be broadly based. Appreciation of science is important to the

general education of non-science majors.

Class Features

Large size (250 ~ 370) Diverse background (business, engineering,

biological science students) How to keep the interest (and discipline) in

class?

Class Features

Large size (250 ~ 370) Diverse background (business, engineering,

biological science students) How to keep the interest (and discipline) in

class?

Activity-based Approach

http://teaching.phys.ust.hk/phys002/info.htm

Lectures Open-book midterms and finals Astronomical activities Personal Response System (PRS) WebCT Online quizzes Videos Computer animations Demonstrations Forum No homework

Activity-based Approach

http://teaching.phys.ust.hk/phys002/info.htm

Lectures Open-book midterms and finals Astronomical activities Personal Response System (PRS) WebCT Online quizzes Videos Computer animations Demonstrations Forum No homework

Certificate of Participation

For Students of Physics 002

This is to certify that

_____________________

has participated in the following activity

________________________________

Organization: _________________________________

Organization chop: _____________________________

Person-in-charge: ______________________________

Contact method: _______________________________

Date of the activity: ____________________________

Note: The certificate is required only when tickets are not issued for the activity.

Astronomical Activitieshttp://teaching.phys.ust.hk/phys002/calendar.htm

To motivate students’ interest To expose students to astronomy observations To explore astronomy topics not covered To cultivate students’ lifetime hobbies Organizations: Course, Space Museum, Student

Astronomy Club, External associations Formats: Observations, Public lectures, Movies

Astronomical Activitieshttp://teaching.phys.ust.hk/phys002/calendar.htm

To motivate students’ interest To expose students to astronomy observations To explore astronomy topics not covered To cultivate students’ lifetime hobbies Organizations: Course, Space Museum, Student

Astronomy Club, External associations Formats: Observations, Public lectures, Movies

Personal Response System (PRS) To involve students in active thinking To reinforce learning by an immediate review of

learned concepts To expose students to applications of learned

concepts in different contexts To maintain steady class attendance To clarify common misconceptions, especially

effective when a significant fraction of students was revealed to answer wrong

To assist the instructor in understanding the progress and misconceptions of students

To involve students in active discussionsThe last 3 points are illustrated in the following

video

Personal Response System (PRS) To involve students in active thinking To reinforce learning by an immediate review of

learned concepts To expose students to applications of learned

concepts in different contexts To maintain steady class attendance To clarify common misconceptions, especially

effective when a significant fraction of students was revealed to answer wrong

To assist the instructor in understanding the progress and misconceptions of students

To involve students in active discussionsThe last 3 points are illustrated in the following

video

PRS Question 11The escape velocity from the Earth is 11 km/s. If a satellite is launched from a space shuttle at a velocity of 9 km/s. The orbit of the satellite is1) a circle 2) a parabola 3) a hyperbola4) an ellipse with the space shuttle nearest to the Earth5) an ellipse with the space shuttle furthest from the Earth

Correct answer: 4)Majority answer: 5)

Note: The students may give the wrong answer in words even when they know the correct orbit in the figure (if they do not understand the launching operation of the space shuttle).

PRS Generates a New Kind of Learning Dynamicshttp://physics.ust.hk/genphys/prs11.ram

PRS Question 11 (rephrased)The escape velocity from the Earth is 11 km/s. If a satellite is launched at a velocity of 9 km/s from a space shuttle at point P, the orbit of the satellite is1) a circle 2) a parabola 3) a hyperbola4) an ellipse with the point P nearest to the Earth5) an ellipse with the point P furthest from the Earth

PPRS Discussions Led to Improvement in

Question Design

Clarification

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

Many students knew that the correct answer is the orbit labeled 4) in the figure, but they gave 5) as their choice.

The misunderstanding probably comes from: The satellite is moving on the orbit, but the space shuttle is simply

the launcher in this problem. It does not follow the orbit after it has launched the satellite.

Some students thought that choice 5) is stating that the average distance of the orbit is furthest from the Earth, so they chose 5). In fact, the true meaning of this choice is: when the satellite moves along this orbit, it becomes furthest from the Earth at point P.

P

PRS Discussions Led to Clarifications of Students’ Common Misconceptions

WebCT Online Quizzes Multiple choice questions Computer-marked immediately after submission Designed for self-revision, marks not counted Solutions discussed and explained by TAs

WebCT Online Quizzes Multiple choice questions Computer-marked immediately after submission Designed for self-revision, marks not counted Solutions discussed and explained by TAs

WebCT Lecture Videos Lectures are videotaped

as a revision aid for studentsas a component of a Web course in the CyberU project

WebCT Lecture Videos Lectures are videotaped

as a revision aid for studentsas a component of a Web course in the CyberU project

(Videos)

Real-Life Demonstrations To convey physical concepts to students Demo database in the University of Maryland

http://physics.ust.hk/genphys/demo.ram

Real-Life Demonstrations To convey physical concepts to students Demo database in the University of Maryland

http://physics.ust.hk/genphys/demo.ram

Black hole 06 Dec 2001 23:57 143.89.192.3 ee_wkcaa Our earth fate ? 06 Dec 2001 23:44 143.89.192.5 eg_yhf Our earth fate ? 06 Dec 2001 23:44 143.89.192.5 eg_yhf What's the nature of light? 06 Dec 2001 22:05 143.89.71.22

HKUST\bm_wsk Re: What's the nature of light? 07 Dec 2001 04:02 143.89.217.73

HKUST\ee_fhc Re: What's the nature of light? 07 Dec 2001 16:51 143.89.71.8

HKUST\bm_wsk

Black hole 06 Dec 2001 23:57 143.89.192.3 ee_wkcaa Our earth fate ? 06 Dec 2001 23:44 143.89.192.5 eg_yhf Our earth fate ? 06 Dec 2001 23:44 143.89.192.5 eg_yhf What's the nature of light? 06 Dec 2001 22:05 143.89.71.22

HKUST\bm_wsk Re: What's the nature of light? 07 Dec 2001 04:02 143.89.217.73

HKUST\ee_fhc Re: What's the nature of light? 07 Dec 2001 16:51 143.89.71.8

HKUST\bm_wsk

Forum To encourage students’ participation Participation marks are counted

Forum To encourage students’ participation Participation marks are counted

Best Forum Answer Student

This is to certify that TUNG Kin Lam is the winner of the “Best Forum Answer Award”

Signature:________________

Prof. K. Y. Michael Wong

Date: 6 November 2001

Further Incentives Best questions and answers are awarded

Further Incentives Best questions and answers are awarded

Statistical Results 1Statistical Results 1

Statistical Results 2Statistical Results 2

Statistical Results 3Statistical Results 3

Statistical Results 4Statistical Results 4

Conclusion• Activity-based learning can be implemented in

general education classes of large size.• The introduction of multiple modes of activities

makes the course interesting.• Nevertheless, the support of quality and

motivated manpower is an important factor.

Conclusion• Activity-based learning can be implemented in

general education classes of large size.• The introduction of multiple modes of activities

makes the course interesting.• Nevertheless, the support of quality and

motivated manpower is an important factor.