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ClassAction

ClassAction modules consist of questions and resources designed to encourage student engagement in the classroom. More details can be found on the overview, how to use and pedagogy pages. The PowerPoint page gives some guidance on importing ClassAction resources into PowerPoint.

The modules below roughly follow the outline of most introductory astronomy textbooks. ClassAction is still being actively developed, so some topics are covered more thoroughly than others. Clicking on a module name opens the module in a pop-up window.


Module Name Topics Included #Q Comments on Progress
Introductory Concepts This module covers the standard first chapter in most textbooks usually entitled something like "Scale of the Cosmos" which includes organizational bins Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe, scientific notation, metric prefixes, special units, speed of light, and look-back time. Introductory questions on statistics, pressure, temperature, and graphing are planned. 14 Scale topics are well-covered.
Basic Motions & Ancient Astronomy This module surveys basic observations in the sky, angular diameter, celestial timekeeping, constellations,the importance of astronomy to ancient peoples, and the Greek Astronomers. 8 At an early state and still evolving.
Coordinates & Motions Coordinate systems (terrestrial, celestial equatorial, and horizon), celestial sphere, ecliptic, seasons, hours of daylight, meridional altitude, paths of the sun, and declinations ranges. 37 There is a large amount of more material here with extensive animations for providing feedback.
Lunar Cycles Phases, eclipses, synchronous rotation, and tides. Special emphasis is placed on the geometrical cause of phases. 25 Concepts are well-covered. Many of the animations for providing feedback are powerful instructional tools for teaching phases
Renaissance Astronomy The works of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, & Newton including sidereal/synodic periods, eccentricity, elongation, and special planetary configurations. Special emphasis is placed on Kepler's Laws. 32 The topics are very well-covered and we are quite happy with this module. There are extensive animations for providing feedback.
Light & Spectra Types of spectra, EM spectrum, electron energy levels, Wien's Law, Stefan-Boltzmann Law, the Doppler shift, and inverse square law. 41 This module is at an advanced state and all topics are well-covered.
Telescopes and Astronomical Instruments Refraction, reflection, telescopes of different types and focal arrangements, powers of a telescope (light gathering power, resolving power, magnification), CCDs, spectrographs 14 At an early state and still evolving.
Sun and Solar Energy Nuclear energy, thermal transport, hydrostatic equilibrium, solar activity (Sunspots), differential rotation, charged particles in magnetic fields 19 At an early state and still evolving.
ISM & Star Formation Nebulae, ISM, preferential scattering, giant molecular clouds, star formation 9 At an early state and still evolving.
Stellar Properties I Stellar magnitudes, luminosity, stellar velocities including the doppler shift and proper motion. 21 Topics are well-covered.
Stellar Properties II HR Diagram, luminosity function, distance determination including parallax and spectroscopic parallax, stellar radii, stellar masses. 24 Topics are well-covered.
Binary and Variable Stars Types of binaries (visual, astrometric, spectroscopic, spectrum, & eclipsing), light curves, and radial velocity curves. This module will also look at concepts related to observing variable stars. 11 At an early state and still evolving.
Stellar Evolution HR Diagram evolutionary tracks, core stages, stages of the sun's evolution, planetary nebulae, supernovae, end states of stars. Special emphasis has been placed on coordinating locations on HR Diagram evolutionary tracks with energy production in the core of the star. 31 We have made a strong start, but this will undoubtedly have to be a large module to cover all of the topics adequately.
Milky Way Galaxy Characteristics of disk and halo stars, rotation curves, spiral arms, importance of variable stars. 15 Making good progress but still evolving.
Galaxies Types of galaxies and their characteristics, the Hubble Tuning Fork Diagram, galactic evolution, active galaxies, quasars. 17 Making good progress, but still evolving.
Cosmology Hubble's Law, characteristics of the expansion, the Big Bang. 17 At an early state and still evolving.
Solar System Characteristics Orbits of the plants, characteristics of terrestrial and jovian planets, cratering rate, nuclear half-life. 16 At an early state and still evolving.
ExtraSolar Planets Strong emphasis on the radial velocity technique. 22 At an early state and still evolving.
Terrestrial Planets Crater maps, periods of rotation and revolution of the planets, evolution and retention of planetary atmospheres. 12 Making good progress, but still evolving.
Jovian Planets Jovian Planets and their moons. 2 At an early state and still evolving.
Solar System Debris Meteors, meteorites, asteroids, comets, Kuiper Belt. 7 At an early state and still evolving.

Specialty Modules

Module Name Topics Included #Q Comments on Progress
LSCI This module specifically targets concepts covered on the Light and Spectra Concept Inventory. It is very similar to the Light & Spectra module but does not include questions on flux and inverse square and does include some questions involving the luminosity of stars and its dependence on temperature and radius. 38 There will likely be refinements to this module, but all LSCI concepts are presently covered.