Astronomy Hybrid and Fully Online

Big Ideas in Cosmology is a 3-module curriculum that is being developed by a team of faculty and staff in partnership with Kendall-Hunt/Great River Technologies. The curriculum uses interactive learning objects incorporating real data within a hybrid or online format. This transforms the class from a primarily lecture and book-based course to a more engaging format that builds important STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) skills. Existing textbooks and "proven redesign" methods using multiple-choice test banks following templates administered through Moodle do not engage student thinking beyond Bloom's taxonomy level 1 (remembering). Our redesigned course is based on peer-reviewed education research into astronomical misconceptions, and engages students through additional taxonomy levels including understanding, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating. These learning objectives are important to future student success in STEM fields, as well as other fields that require the development of critical thinking abilities. During spring 2014, we tested Modules 1 and 2 with Astronomy 100 and Modules 2 and 3 with Astronomy 350 in a hybrid, “flipped-classroom” format. In the summer 2014, we are offering both courses in a purely online format. Extensive evaluation is being conducted, including pre- and post- content knowledge assessment, and a study of learning attitudes.