Active Learning on Large and Small Scales in Astronomy Courses

Experience using active learning techniques in astronomy courses of a range of scales will be described. They range from large (120 students per lecture) introductory astronomy courses on Solar System and Stellar astronomy to a small (10-15 students) course on cosmology. The primary audience of each course is non-science majors fulfilling a liberal studies requirement.

In the large courses the use of Peer Instruction will be described. Several variations on the technique, which essentially involves asking students to respond to multiple choice questions during class by voting, will be presented. Assessment data based on pre- and post-testing of students using the Astronomy Diagnostic Test will be discussed.

In the small cosmology course an overview will be given of a workshop approach to the course. The intent was to limit lecture and instead spend most class time doing activities. Representative activities and suggestions for future directions will be included.

Some of the activities described in this poster were supported by a grant from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Center for Teaching and Learning.