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15/07/2020 by S  

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Title

Improving Introductory Astronomy Education in American Colleges and Universities: A Review of Recent Progress

Abstract

Over the past 15 years, professional astronomers, their societies, and associated funding agencies have collaborated to improve astronomy teaching and learning at the introductory undergraduate level. Many nonscience majors and preservice teachers enroll in these introductory astronomy courses, thus meriting the focused attention. In this review of recent developments, issues, approaches, and resources, we describe and document key instructional assets that have been made available to college and university faculty who wish to enhance their teaching of introductory astronomy. We find that although faculty support has progressed intermittently, there exist numerous programs and resources that faculty can access to increase student engagement and learning in astronomy. As funding support for these various instructional assets have waxed and waned, the professional societies have served as vital anchors and agents for advancing the profession of astronomy education at the introductory undergraduate level. Our findings, though focused on astronomy education, can be applied to the practice of introductory undergraduate education throughout the Earth and space sciences.

Date

01/01/2011

Citation

Waller, W. H., & Slater, T. F. (2011). Improving Introductory Astronomy Education in American Colleges and Universities: A Review of Recent Progress. Journal of Geoscience Education, 59(4), 176–183. https://doi.org/10.5408/1.3651408

Type of Publication

Article

Author(s)

Waller, William H. | Slater, Timothy F.

Content

Miscellaneous Astronomy Content

Construct

Academic Social/Discourse

Methodology

Blank

Research Setting

University/College

Target Group

Multi-aged groups

Institution(s)

Eureka Scientific and the Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium | University of Wyoming

Journal Name

Journal of Geoscience Education

Peer-Reviewed Status

Yes

Publisher

The National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Volume

59

Issue Number

4

ISSN

1089-9995

Resource Type

Curriculum/Program Description or Report | Position Paper/Editorial

Nation(s) of Study

United States of America

Language

English

URL

http://nagt-jge.org/doi/full/10.5408/1.3651408?code=gete-site

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