ASPCS
 
Back to Volume
Paper: Astronomy Discussions on Educational Media
Volume: 531, ASP2020: Embracing the Future: Astronomy Teaching and Public Engagement
Page: 118
Authors: Smith, A.
Abstract: Recent years have seen a rapid proliferation of educational content online, often mixed with entertainment in the form of webcomics, YouTube videos, podcasts, or television shows. In addition to informing the public, these educational media make for an excellent centerpiece to Astronomy class discussions on topics ranging from chlorophyll and the Sun's spectrum, to the relative size of planets, to the search for possible objects in our own Solar System. Discussions are done as Canvas posts in both hybrid and fully-online Planetary and Stellar Astronomy classes. Students post their own ideas, as well as responding to their classmates' posts, which has greatly increased the amount of engagement with the class material and its implications, as well as with other students and the Instructor. Many of them take their thought process to the next level, asking questions and showing insight about topics beyond those covered in class.
Back to Volume