Wednesday 3 February 2016

Using a planetarium (UKPSF: A1, A4, K4)

I am one of a team of people, who are teaching an immersive module called the Quantum Universe. We are using a planetarium on campus for the lab sessions. Actually, it is called the Immersive Vision Theater. See the picture below:






This is the first time. This course has been run, so we have no experience with using the planetarium for teaching. I did a quick literature search and found this paper:
The Effect of Planetariums on Teaching Specific Astronomy Concepts

The paper uses a multiple choice test on groups of students, who did and did not, have access to the planetarium. They found that there was a statistical improvement in 3D thinking for the students who had access to a planetarium compared to those who were taught in a classroom.

On reflection I will use some of the multiple choice questions coupled with the demonstrations in the planetarium.