Indicates a research-demonstrated benefit

Ranking Tasks for Introductory Astronomy

Overview

Conceptual exercises that present learners with a series of pictures or diagrams that describe several slightly different variations of a basic physical situation. Students are then asked to make a comparative judgment and to identify the order or ranking of the various situations based on some physical outcome or result. The multiple scenarios engage students' minds and force them to think more deeply about the critical features that distinguish one situation from another.

	Type of Method	Curriculum supplement
	Level	Designed for: Astronomy, Intro College Conceptual
	Setting	Designed for: Lecture - Large (30+ students), Lecture - Small (<30 students) Can be adapted for: Recitation/Discussion Session, Homework, Studio
	Coverage	Many topics with less depth
	Topics	Astronomy
	Instructor Effort	Low
	Skills	Designed for: Conceptual understanding of physics content, Connecting conceptual and mathematical understanding Can be adapted for: Enjoyment of physics
	Research Validation	Based on research into: how students learn, student ideas about specific topics Demonstrated to improve: scores on multiple choice conceptual tests, scores on written conceptual tests, attitudes about physics Studied using: conceptual pre/post exams, analysis of written work, research conducted at multiple institutions
	Compatible Methods	Peer Instruction, PhET, JiTT, CGPS, Physlets, Context-Rich Problems, SCALE-UP, OSP, LA Program, CAE TPS, Lecture-Tutorials, CPU, TEFA, Tutorials, Clickers
	Similar Methods	Ranking Tasks, TIPERs, Lecture-Tutorials
	Developer(s)	David Hudgins, Kevin Lee, and Edward Prather
	Website	http://astro.unl.edu/interactives/