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| Paper: |
An Analysis of Long-Term Use of Computational Exercises in a General Education Astronomy Course |
| Volume: |
537, ASP 2022: A Virtual Conference |
| Page: |
27 |
| Authors: |
Zich, R.; DiCaro, J. |
| Abstract: |
Results from a five semester study of the effectiveness of computational exercises as an instructional tool in a general education astronomy course will be presented. Spreadsheet-based computational exercises were incorporated into a single semester sophomore level astronomy course complementing an existing active learning curriculum. Fifteen computational exercises were designed to increase conceptual understanding, connect concepts with mathematics, and associate science with prediction. The longer-term assessment of these instructional interventions was valuable in evaluating the effectiveness of the new curriculum, as most new curricula only report a semester or two of results before widespread introduction occurs. The TOAST and LPCI were used as pre- and posttests to measure students' learning. Student attitudes toward computational exercises and overall perceptions of the course were assessed with survey responses. Assessment showed TOAST correctness gains of 20%, LPCI correctness gains of 29%, and overall positive attitudes towards the computational activities. |
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