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Virtual Tours of the Universe

Virtual Tours of the Universe. Christopher Fluke (with Sarah Maddison & Glen Mackie) astronomy.swin.edu.au. March 15-26. 24-27 July 2006. 42. 6.1. Academics Postdocs/Researchers Students Support/Technical Staff. Year. All About Us.

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Virtual Tours of the Universe

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  1. Virtual Tours of the Universe Christopher Fluke (with Sarah Maddison & Glen Mackie) astronomy.swin.edu.au

  2. March 15-26

  3. 24-27 July 2006

  4. 42 6.1 Academics Postdocs/Researchers Students Support/Technical Staff Year All About Us Mission Statement:“…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education.” • No undergraduate teaching in astronomy! • Swinburne Astronomy Online (SAO) • AstroTour: Virtual Reality Tours of the Universe

  5. What is SAO? • Fully online graduate degree program in astronomy by coursework (commenced worldwide in 1999) • Nested program: Graduate Certificate of Science in Astronomy 4 Units Graduate Diploma of Science in Astronomy 8 Units Master of Science in Astronomy 12 Units • Not a training program for PhD astronomers: Concentrates on the fundamental concepts & key issues in contemporary astronomy (rather than mathematical basis) • 16 Units: Solar system; stars; galaxies; cosmology; history of astronomy; astrophotography; space exploration; debates in astronomy; computational astrophysics; etc.

  6. Learning Outcomes • We aim to assess: • Overall conceptual understanding • Identify and correct common misconceptions • Grasp of detail • Demonstrate knowledge & understanding of course content • Communication skills • Discuss basic principles/concepts in a non-technical way understandable by the wider public • Ability to research a topic (in astronomy) in depth

  7. How Does SAO Work? • Hybrid delivery: • CD-ROM (~1500 animated PowerPoint slides per unit) • Textbooks • Internet links for further research • Asynchronous newsgroup discussions

  8. The Virtual Classroom • Asynchronous newsgroup discussions • Different time zones + busy people! • 1 instructor and ~30 students • New newsgroups every 2 weeks • Students answer each others’ questions (‘active learning’) • Organised discussion threads (time to research and reflect on answers) • Aids non-native English speakers to compose contributions • Instructor acts as “guide on the side” (promotes ‘active learning’)

  9. Who Are We Teaching? Science school teachers • ~230 students/semester • ~35 countries • Ages 16 to 78 (average ~41 yrs) • 20% female and 80% male Science communicators Amateur astronomers Individuals working in astronomy-related fields Members of general public interested in astronomy 40% 30%

  10. The Online Experience • Advantages • Suits part-timers and distance students • Encourages regular study instead of last-minute cramming • Newsgroups can be used to encourage participation by all • Saves on lecture theatres… • Problems? • Not face-to-face: good communication and feedback is vital • Danger of low retention rates: students need self-discipline & motivation • Online not well-suited to some areas of study & perhaps some age groups? • But it seems to work very well in astronomy, and particularly with motivated life-long learners!

  11. Feedback • Student feedback on each subject each semester • Quality of teaching • Student satisfaction “The HET602 group are a terrific bunch, even though class is virtual. And the discussions and questions are imaginative and demand thinking caps. It’s more like the classic Greek form of tuition, with the course tutors and students sitting round a forum discussing the subject.” “I really love the Swinburne approach to the astronomy for non-astronomy career folks. Slow paced classes, humor, and the focus on learning as opposed to cramming. Even the tests were great. I’ve NEVER taken a test before that was actually a learning experience, yet I’m finding that I’m learning a ton simply in the taking of these `assessments’.”

  12. 1999: The Centre builds its Stereo Theatrette for scientific visualisation • 3D Solar System proves popular with visiting dignitaries! • A letter from an 8 yr old boy results in first 3D AstroTour • Government funding to buy 3D glasses for school program

  13. Shutter Glasses • Unix on Alpha computer • CRT Projector Matthew Bailes

  14. Polarising Glasses • Linux on Intel PC • 2 X DLP Projectors • Silver Screen Sarah Maddison • OS-X on Apple G5

  15. Grade 3 (8-9 y.o.) to Year 12 (17-18 y.o.) + Public Shows • Victorian Curriculum requirements • ~1500 students per year • Teacher Professional Development • Interactives • Conceptual demonstrations • Solar System, Pulsar properties, Globular clusters • Swinburne research results (+ supercomputer) • Pulsar Surveys, Magellenic Stream, Galaxy Formation • Encourage questions as we go

  16. The Little Things Elysium 7 After Stars 2003 2001 2004 2001 Documentary Story

  17. Spinning in Space 2005

  18. Stereoscopic Video: Parkes

  19. Jodrell Bank Observatory CosmoDream Papalote MahidolWittayanusorn School Parkes Observatory Sydney Observatory Installations Swinburne University Worldwide, more than 250,000 visitors have seen our 3D shows

  20. Audience Response • No formal audience evaluation, however: • …fascinated and enthralled…the subject matter you discussed is just the kind of exciting, up-to- date material which will motivate my students… • Teacher Professional Development session • ... the kids want to come back and see more! • Secondary School Teacher • This is the second visit for me and I still don't know if I am more impressed with the way you can manipulate the display to make a point or just blown away with the information about the vastness of the universe. • Primary School Teacher • Students commented very positively - "inspired”…"I'll never see the night sky the same way again”… • P-12 School Teacher

  21. Faulkes Telescope Australian education program Virtual Milky Way Supercomputer in the classroom

  22. Partners Swinburne University RMITMonash UniversityMuseum VictoriaAdacel Pty Ltd Associate Partner University of Melbourne 8 Walls, 16 Projectors, 8 computers Budget: ~US$2.5 million over 3 years(hardware + ~9 shows)

  23. Media Releases • Media coverage January 2000 to October 2003: 68 items

  24. Summary • Astronomy is fun! • Success of Swinburne Astronomy Online and AstroTour is partly due to the passion for the subject that our researchers can provide as they teach. • We have enjoyed the opportunities to share that passion worldwide. astronomy.swin.edu.au/saoastronomy.swin.edu.au/astrotour

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