Multi-Modal Modules for Learning Introductory Astronomy Concepts

用于学习入门天文学概念的多模式模块

• 批准号: 1044658
• 负责人: Daniel Claes
• 金额: $ 19.42万
• 依托单位: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-06-01 至 2016-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1044658&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Multi; Modal; Modules; Learning; Introductory

This project is developing interactive modules for teaching introductory astronomy. They focus on major topics that are covered in most introductory college courses. The modules are programmed in HTML5/Javascript so as to run on the widest possible spectrum of devices, including most moble devices (iPod, smart phones, etc.) and have a lengthy period of usability. Thus, this project also focuses on the underlying technology. The project is also developing a knowledge base that allows creation of effective learning materials for mobile and touch technologies and serve as a launching pad for other developers. The team is experienced in developing astronomy curriculum, interactive computer simulations, and web-based assessment software, and it is well-connected in the astronomy education community. The Intellectual Merit of the project consists of designing modules that work on the multitude of different computer, tablet, and smart phone platforms, operating systems, browsers, and touch capabilities. Considerable creativity is involved in designing simulations that function with mouse, touch-drag, or simply touch-push depending upon the device and are still useful at low resolution. All of this is being accomplished while retaining the best practices of interactive engagement by allowing students to explore with computer simulations, quizzing them over the concepts, and providing extensive feedback. The project is collecting usage data, allowing it to learn exactly how effective these modules were in promoting an understanding of astronomy concepts and a knowledge base related to how students make use of mobile technology that can inform pedagogy for these devices.Broader Impacts: It is clear that mobile devices are going to be a huge part of education in the very near future and that they hold a special appeal for today's students. However, very little work has been done on making use of mobile devices in STEM education. This project is creating a public library of code for mobile devices that is consistent with established web standards and a set of guidelines for future developers in the STEM community on how to effectively target mobile devices. There is a recognized need for trailblazing projects like this that lay the foundations for the mobile revolution that is just beginning.

该项目正在开发互动模块，用于教授天文学入门。他们专注于大多数大学入门课程所涵盖的主要主题。这些模块是用HTML5/JavaScript编程的，以便在尽可能广泛的设备上运行，包括大多数移动设备（iPod，智能手机等）。 并且具有长时间的可用性。因此，该项目还侧重于底层技术。该项目还正在开发一个知识库，以便为移动的和触摸技术创建有效的学习材料，并作为其他开发人员的发射台。该团队在开发天文学课程，交互式计算机模拟和基于网络的评估软件方面经验丰富，并且在天文学教育界有良好的联系。该项目的智力价值包括设计在多种不同的计算机，平板电脑和智能手机平台，操作系统，浏览器和触摸功能上工作的模块。相当大的创造力是参与设计模拟，功能与鼠标，触摸拖动，或简单的触摸推动取决于设备，仍然是有用的，在低分辨率。所有这一切都是在保留互动参与的最佳实践的同时完成的，允许学生通过计算机模拟进行探索，对他们的概念进行测验，并提供广泛的反馈。该项目正在收集使用数据，以便准确了解这些模块在促进对天文学概念的理解方面的有效性，以及与学生如何利用移动的技术相关的知识库，这些技术可以为这些设备的教学提供信息。更广泛的影响：很明显，移动的设备将在不久的将来成为教育的重要组成部分，它们对今天的学生具有特殊的吸引力。然而，在STEM教育中利用移动的设备方面做的工作很少。该项目正在为移动的设备创建一个公共代码库，该代码库符合既定的Web标准，并为STEM社区的未来开发人员提供了一套关于如何有效地针对移动的设备的指导方针。人们认识到需要这样的开创性项目，为刚刚开始的移动的革命奠定基础。