Conceptual astronomy. II. Replicating conceptual gains, probing attitude changes across three semesters

Abstract

We report on a long-term, large-scale study of a one-semester, conceptually based, introductory astronomy course with data from more than 400 students over three semesters at the University of New Mexico. Using traditional and alternative assessment tools developed for the project, we examined the pre- and postcourse results for Fall 1994, Spring 1995, and Fall 1995. We find our results are robust: novice students show large, positive gains on assessments of conceptual understanding and connected understanding of the knowledge structure of astronomy. We find no relationship between course achievement and completion of prior courses in science or math; we do find a small to moderate relationship between students’ science self-image and course achievement. Also, we detect little change over each semester in students’ mildly positive incoming attitudes about astronomy and science.

Pre-Service Teachers’ Conceptions of Specific Astronomy Concepts: A Longitudinal Investigation

“…In addition, the findings were compared with other studies in literature that used similar tests. Table 10 presents a comparison of the correct answers to the questions given by pre-service teachers and the results of the studies by Zeilik et al (1998;1999), Trumper (2000;2001c) and Kalkan & Kıroglu (2007) that used similar tests on university students. When Table 10 was reviewed, it can be seen that Turkish pre-service teachers are better than Israeli students in subjects such as "day-night cycle, time zones, solar eclipse, sun overhead at noon" and they are better than students from the U.S.A. in subjects such as "time zones and Moon's rotation".…”

“…The correct answers to the questions given by pre-service teachers in this study and the results of the studies by Zeilik et al (1998;1999), Trumper (2000;2001c), Kalkan & Kıroglu (2007) that used similar tests on university students were compared. The numbers of correct answers to some questions are in parallel with studies in literature while some questions have different results than the literature.…”

Astronomy And Science Student Attitudes (ASSA): A Short Review And Validation Of A New Instrument

“…The "Survey of Attitudes towards Astronomy" (ATA) from Zeilik, Schau, Mattern, Hall, Teague, and Bisard (1997) and Zeilik, Schau, and Mattern (1999) was based upon the work of Schau, Stevens, Dauphinee, and Del Vecchio (1995) in the domain of tertiary statistics education. The instrument posits four factors, but it is not clear that these factors were independently factor analysed or just reinterpreted or rephrased from Schau et al (1995)'s Attitudes Towards Statistics survey.…”

Prospective Pre-School Teachers’ Attitudes towards Astronomy

“…Except these studies, there are very few studies which have focused on finding out students' perceptions towards science (Zeilik, Schau & Mattern, 1999;Zeilik & Morris, 2003;Jarvis & Pell, 2005;Uçar & Demircioğlu, 2011;Okulu & Oğuz-Ünver 2011). Among these studies, there are hardly any which have focused on prospective pre-school teachers or pre-school students (Çakmak, 2012).…”