…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education… Christopher Fluke (with Sarah Maddison & Glen Mackie) astronomy.swin.edu.au

…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education…

Christopher Fluke(with Sarah Maddison & Glen Mackie)

astronomy.swin.edu.au

Virtual Tours of the Universe


March 15-26


24-27 July 2006


Academics

Postdocs/Researchers

Students

Support/Technical StaffYear

Mission Statement: “…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education.”

42

6.1

All About Us

• No undergraduate teaching in astronomy!

• Swinburne Astronomy Online (SAO)

• AstroTour: Virtual Reality Tours of the Universe


• Fully online graduate degree program in astronomy by coursework (commenced worldwide in 1999)

• Nested program: Graduate Certificate of Science in Astronomy 4 UnitsGraduate Diploma of Science in Astronomy 8 UnitsMaster 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:

What is SAO?

Solar system; stars; galaxies; cosmology; history of astronomy; astrophotography; space exploration; debates in astronomy; computational astrophysics; etc.


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

Learning Outcomes


Hybrid delivery:• CD-ROM (~1500 animated PowerPoint slides per unit)• Textbooks• Internet links for further research

• Asynchronous newsgroup discussions

How Does SAO Work?


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’)

The Virtual Classroom


Who Are We Teaching?

Amateur astronomers

Science school teachers

Science communicators

Individuals working in astronomy-related fields

Members of general public interested in astronomy

• ~230 students/semester

• ~35 countries

• Ages 16 to 78 (average ~41 yrs)

• 20% female and 80% male

30%

40%


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!


“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’.”

“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 sittinground a forum discussing the subject.”

FeedbackStudent feedback on each subject each semester• Quality of teaching • Student satisfaction


• 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


Shutter Glasses

Unix on Alpha computer

CRT Projector

Shutter Glasses

Unix on Alpha computer

CRT Projector

Matthew Bailes


Polarising Glasses

Linux on Intel PC

2 X DLP Projectors

Silver Screen

Polarising Glasses

Linux on Intel PC

2 X DLP Projectors

Silver Screen

OS-X on Apple G5

Sarah Maddison


• 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


2004 After Stars2003The Little Things

2001 Elysium 72001

Do

cum

enta

ry

Sto

ry


2005Spinning in Space


Stereoscopic Video: Parkes


Swinburne University

CosmoDream

Sydney Observatory

Parkes Observatory

Jodrell Bank Observatory

PapaloteMahidol

Wittayanusorn School

Installations

Worldwide, more than 250,000 visitors have seen our 3D shows


Audience ResponseNo 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


Faulkes Telescope

Australian education program

Virtual Milky Way

Supercomputer in the classroom


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)


Media ReleasesMedia coverage January 2000 to October 2003: 68 items


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

Documents

…dedicated to inspiring a fascination in the Universe through research and education… Christopher Fluke (with Sarah Maddison & Glen Mackie) astronomy.swin.edu.au