Astronomy flashcard question: total lunar eclipse

Astronomy 210, fall semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students were asked near the end of their learning cycle the following think-pair-share question, to be answered using flashcards.

While an observer in Seattle, WA is seeing a total lunar eclipse, an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA would see:
(A) a total lunar eclipse.
(B) a partial lunar eclipse.
(C) a normal full moon.
(D) (None of the above choices, as the moon would not be visible.)
(E) (Unsure/guessing/lost/help!)

Section 70160 (pre-)
(A) : 6 students
(B) : 10 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 7 students

This question was asked again after students were instructed to discuss with a neighbor how they chose their answer, and to convince each other why their answer is (in)correct.

Section 70160 (post-)
(A) : 15 students
(B) : 12 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 1 student

Correct answer: (A)

This was also asked as a midterm essay question in a previous semester.

Pre- to post- peer-interaction gains:
pre-interaction correct = 22%
post-interaction correct = 54%
Hake (normalized) gain <g> = 41%