20130826

Online reading assignment: flipped classroom, motions and cycles (NC campus)

Astronomy 210, fall semester 2013
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students have a weekly online reading assignment (hosted by SurveyMonkey.com), where they answer questions based on reading their textbook, material covered in previous lectures, opinion questions, and/or asking (anonymous) questions or making (anonymous) comments. Full credit is given for completing the online reading assignment before next week's lecture, regardless if whether their answers are correct/incorrect. Selected results/questions/comments are addressed by the instructor at the start of the following lecture.

The following questions were asked on reading textbook chapters and previewing presentations on Earth's rotation/precession/revolution/tilt, the moon's motions and cycles, and watching two video presentations on the flipped class: "What Is the Flipped Class?" and "How the Flipped Classroom Works."

Selected/edited responses are given below.

Describe something you found interesting from the assigned textbook reading or presentation preview, and explain why this was personally interesting for you.
"The flipped classroom was interesting. It seems like a really good idea and would be cool to experience."

"It was really interesting that the word "month" and the word "moonth" are cleverly similar because it takes the moon a month (here on Earth) to completely go around."

"I found the flipped classroom videos interesting. I've always hated having to sit through a lecture on a topic I've already read about and am familiar with. I'm looking forward to trying this out."

"The moon phases were quite interesting. I have always known that the moon changes phases but I never learned about how long it takes for the moon to go from new to full and then back."

"The section about the seasons was really interesting because no one ever really thinks about how the seasons change. The fact that they don't change due to the sun's distance but rather by the solar energy of the northern and southern hemispheres is really kind of weird."

Describe something you found confusing from the assigned textbook reading or presentation preview, and explain why this was personally confusing for you.
"The presentations didn't really explain the moon phases the way that I had hoped."

"I found the part about 'sun-sign' astrology most confusing. I understand how the sun lines up to each zodiac constellation at different times of the year, but I am confused as to why that is relevant and important to learn."

"I found that the textbook was not nearly as clear as the presentations in describing the orbits, rotations, and precession of the earth and moon. The animated GIFs presentations were especially useful."

"Precession."

Match these cycles with their approximate duration. (Only correct responses shown.)
Earth's rotation: 24 hours [100%]
Earth's revolution: one year [89%]
Earth's precession: 26,000 years [100%]
The moon's revolution: one month [89%]

Place these moon phases in chronological order in their cycle (starting with new moon). (Only correct responses shown, in unscrambled order.)
New moon: first [89%]
Waxing crescent: second [78%]
First quarter: third [78%]
Waxing gibbous: fourth [78%]
Full moon: fifth [89%]
Waning gibbous: sixth [72%]
Third quarter: seventh [78%]
Waning crescent: eighth [72%]

Explain what is different about homework in a flipped class.
"I think homework would actually be a little easier and more of a review because you have already gone over the material twice."

"Homework allows for time to check on the concepts learned and practiced during class, which makes it easier to complete and absorb as a student."

"In a flipped class, we the students take the initiative of learning and we try the activities ourselves. in the next class meeting, we will be familiarized with the activities and will have some prior knowledge, and with the help of our instructor, clarify the concepts we didn't understand."

"It is defiantly not like traditional homework. One way to look at homework would be before class when a student watches the video. They might consider that the homework. The other way to look at homework would be when the student goes to class and is working with their peers and teachers."

"Instead of having to listen to a lecture in class that goes too fast or too slow depending on the person, you have time to ask questions during the next class after going through the lecture online at your own pace. That way, you can feel more comfortable doing homework."

Describe where/when most student learning occurs in a flipped class.
"I feel in a flipped classroom most learning occurs at each stage. If the student prepares for the next day's lesson they know what is to be expected and they won't feel behind. Students learn during class time because they are applying concepts that they reviewed the previous day, with the additional help of their teacher and peers. Students still continue to learn after that class session is over because they now what they understand and they also know what concepts they need to better understand and study more."

"In class, one-on-one with the teacher after they have already previewed the days lesson and have questions."

"Most learning occurs at home. The resources are provided and that allows the student to learn at the speed that suits them most."

"I think the most learning would occur in the class when students talk with their peers and teacher about the topic."

"Well, I think it's even. By doing the work before going to class, it will help you have a greater understanding of the applications in class. According to the diagram the learning occurs mostly at home doing a pre-study and post-study session."

Ask the instructor an anonymous question, or make a comment. Selected questions/comments may be discussed in class.
"Do we have to put anything in this box if we don't have a question or can we just leave it blank?" (This section is optional, as long as you have completed most of the rest of the assignment.)

"I really like the idea of a flipped class. I'd much rather do something in the classroom that I can't do by reading a book. Looking forward to it!"

"What made you decide to teach a 'flipped class' rather than the average way an instructor would teach?" (I think it's a more constructive use of student and instructor time, and more importantly, I think it'd be more spontaneous and enjoyable.)

"You, my good sir, are too legit. Well-played."

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