The SASS is administered online during the last week of instruction, to be completed before the final exam. The SPCI is administered in class during the last week of instruction.
The SASS results from this semester are compiled below. Values for the mean and standard deviations are given next to the modal response category for each question. Also listed is the percentage of students who have self-assessed themselves as having successfully achieving a learning outcome (responding "average," "above average," or "excellent") as opposed to not achieving success with a learning outcome (responding "very poor" or "below average").
Cuesta College
Student Assessment of Skills Survey (SASS)
Astronomy 210 fall semester 2013 sections 70158[*], 70160
N = 50
[*] Questions (20)-(22) were not covered for this section, and results from these students (N = 32) are not posted below.
The questions below are designed to characterize your achievement of each of the learning outcomes by filling in a bubble on the rating scale provided to the right of each statement.
Mark the level of achievement that best describes your learning at the completion of the course.
1. Predict positions and cycles of stars, using a starwheel.
(Achieved: 94%, unachieved: 6%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. *** [3] Average. *************** [15] Above average. *********************** [23] Excellent. ********* [9]
2. Explain sun cycles and seasons.
(Achieved: 98%, unachieved: 2%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. * [1] Average. ***************** [17] Above average. ************************ [24] Excellent. ******** [8]
3. Explain and predict lunar phases and times.
(Achieved: 90%, unachieved: 10%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. ***** [5] Average. ************ [17] Above average. *************** [15] Excellent. ************* [13]
4. Relate planets in the sky to a solar system map.
(Achieved: 90%, unachieved: 10%)
Very poor. * [1] Below average. **** [4] Average. *************************** [27] Above average. ***************** [17] Excellent. * [1]
5. Explain differences between models of planetary motion.
(Achieved: 90%, unachieved: 10%)
Very poor. * [1] Below average. **** [4] Average. ************************* [25] Above average. **************** [16] Excellent. **** [4]
6. Explain evidence for the heliocentric model of planetary motion.
(Achieved: 80%, unachieved: 20%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. ********** [10] Average. ***************** [17] Above average. ***************** [17] Excellent. ****** [6]
7. Describe how optical telescopes work.
(Achieved: 90%, unachieved: 10%)
Very poor. * [1] Below average. **** [4] Average. ********************* [21] Above average. ******************* [19] Excellent. ***** [5]
8. Describe different powers of optical telescopes.
(Achieved: 88%, unachieved: 12%)
Very poor. * [1] Below average. ***** [5] Average. ******************** [20] Above average. ****************** [18] Excellent. ******** [8]
9. Explain which telescopes should be funded based on relevant criteria.
(Achieved: 82%, unachieved: 18%)
Very poor. ** [2] Below average. ******* [7] Average. **************** [16] Above average. ****************** [18] Excellent. ******* [7]
10. Explain how stars produce energy.
(Achieved: 88%, unachieved: 12%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. ****** [6] Average. ****************** [18] Above average. **************** [16] Excellent. ********** [10]
11. Explain the relationship between star brightness and distances.
(Achieved: 96%, unachieved: 4%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. ** [2] Average. ************** [14] Above average. ********************** [22] Excellent. ******* [12]
12. Predict the size of a star based on brightness and temperature.
(Achieved: 96%, unachieved: 4%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. ** [2] Average. **************** [16] Above average. ******************** [20] Excellent. ************ [12]
13. Explain different stages a star will go through, based on its mass.
(Achieved: 88%, unachieved: 12%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. ****** [6] Average. ******************* [19] Above average. *************** [15] Excellent. ********** [10]
14. Explain evidence for the shape/size/composition of our Milky Way galaxy.
(Achieved: 82%, unachieved: 18%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. ********* [9] Average. ************************** [26] Above average. *************** [15] Excellent. [0]
15. Explain evidence for how our Milky Way galaxy came to be.
(Achieved: 78%, unachieved: 22%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. *********** [11] Average. ************************* [25] Above average. ************ [12] Excellent. ** [2]
16. Explain how the speed of light affects observations of distant objects.
(Achieved: 90%, unachieved: 10%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. ***** [5] Average. ************************* [25] Above average. ************** [14] Excellent. ****** [6]
17. Explain evidence for the expansion of the universe.
(Achieved: 84%, unachieved: 16%)
Very poor. * [1] Below average. ******* [7] Average. ********************* [21] Above average. ***************** [17] Excellent. **** [4]
18. Describe characteristics of the universe a long time ago.
(Achieved: 80%, unachieved: 20%)
Very poor. * [1] Below average. ********* [9] Average. *********************** [23] Above average. ************** [14] Excellent. *** [3]
19. Explain evidence for how our solar system came to be.
(Achieved: 94%, unachieved: 6%)
Very poor. * [1] Below average. *** [3] Average. ****** [6] Above average. ******* [7] Excellent. * [1]
20. Describe key features of terrestrial planets.
(Achieved: 94%, unachieved: 6%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. * [1] Average. ***** [5] Above average. ********** [10] Excellent. ** [2]
21. Describe key features of jovian planets.
(Achieved: 100%, unachieved: 0%)
Very poor. * [1] Below average. [0] Average. ****** [6] Above average. ********* [9] Excellent. ** [2]
22. Explain why Pluto is not currently categorized as a planet.
(Achieved: 94%, unachieved: 6%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. [0] Average. **** [4] Above average. **** [4] Excellent. ********** [10]
23. Describe plausible requirements for life.
(Achieved: 88%, unachieved: 12%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. ****** [6] Average. ****************** [18] Above average. ******************* [19] Excellent. ******* [7]
24. Explain difficulties in investigating the possibility for extraterrestial life.
(Achieved: 85%, unachieved: 14%)
Very poor. [0] Below average. ******* [7] Average. ****************** [18] Above average. **************** [16] Excellent. ********* [9]
Of the 24 student learning outcomes in the SASS, 18 were self-reported as being achieved by at least 85% of students, listed below in order of decreasing success:
21. Describe key features of jovian planets. (100%)
2. Explain sun cycles and seasons. (98%)
11. Explain the relationship between star brightness and distances. (96%)
12. Predict the size of a star based on brightness and temperature. (96%)
1. Predict positions and cycles of stars, using a starwheel. (94%)
19. Explain evidence for how our solar system came to be. (94%)
20. Describe key features of terrestrial planets. (94%)
22. Explain why Pluto is not currently categorized as a planet. (94%)
3. Explain and predict lunar phases and times. (90%)
4. Relate planets in the sky to a solar system map. (90%)
5. Explain differences between models of planetary motion. (90%)
7. Describe how optical telescopes work. (90%)
16. Explain how the speed of light affects observations of distant objects. (90%)
8. Describe different powers of optical telescopes. (88%)
10. Explain how stars produce energy. (88%)
13. Explain different stages a star will go through, based on its mass. (88%)
23. Describe plausible requirements for life. (88%)
24. Explain difficulties in investigating the possibility for extraterrestial life. (85%)
However, six student learning outcomes were self-reported as being achieved by less than 85% of students, listed below in order of decreasing success:
17. Explain evidence for the expansion of the universe. (84%)
9. Explain which telescopes should be funded based on relevant criteria. (82%)
14. Explain evidence for the shape/size/composition of our Milky Way galaxy. (82%)
6. Explain evidence for the heliocentric model of planetary motion. (80%)
18. Describe characteristics of the universe a long time ago. (80%)
15. Explain evidence for how our Milky Way galaxy came to be. (78%)
Compare these student learning outcomes self-reported as not being achieved (6, 9, 14, 15, 17, 18) those from a previous semesters (spring semester 2012: (6, 18); fall semester 2011: (4, 7, 8)).
Student learning outcomes 10, 11, 12, and 13 for Cuesta College students were directly assessed using the Star Properties Concept Inventory (excluding negative informed consent form responses):
Star Properties Concept Inventory v3.0These SPCI scores are comparable to results from 1,100 large research university students that have completed introductory astronomy and earth sciences courses (Bailey, 2007), where the average was 51% (no further statistics provided); and also comparable to SPCI results from earlier semesters at Cuesta College.
Astronomy 210 fall semester 2013 sections 70158, 70160
N = 56
ave ± stdev = 52% ± 13%
As per the ACCJC (Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges), results from this indirect assessment SASS tool, along with the direct assessment SPCI tool will be used for course/program improvement by increasing emphasis on these lowest three learning outcomes in instruction in future semesters.
Previous posts:
- Education research: SASS and student learning outcomes (Cuesta College, spring semester 2012).
- Education research: SASS and student learning outcomes (Cuesta College, fall semester 2011).
- Education research: SASS and student learning outcomes (Cuesta College, spring semester 2011).
- Education research: SASS and student learning outcomes (Cuesta College, fall semester 2010).
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