For Peer Instruction to succeed, students need to be able to focus quickly on the concept in an interactive way that highlights the most common misconceptions.
ConcepTests are multiple choice questions which the students pose to each other in small groups, during class. This technique is remarkably effective at engaging students' interest and clarifying misconceptions, if the tests are geared as much as possible to the class level. Some excellent examples for introductory physics can be viewed in the ConcepTest database at the Project Galileo homepage.
We have begun to compile a library of ConcepTests for introductory astronomy. There are already several hundred questions on the WWW, and over a thousand due for installation soon. We are also SOLICITING CONTRIBUTIONS.
ConcepTest questions should be short, conceptual, multiple choice tests that can be presented without elaborate diagrams. Quick, conceptual, multiple-choice questions that can be used for two purposes simultaneously; a) To quickly gauge student comprehension during a class lecture, allowing real-time adaptation of the lecture, and b) To challenge students to confront misconceptions by discussing conceptual puzzles with peers in a collaborative atmosphere. If you wish to contribute, for format and other considerations, please consult
Major contributors (say, 20 questions or more) will have password access to the full library of tests on the WWW. Limited access preserves the thought-provoking element for students, and the requirement of a contribution serves to make the library large, varied, and thus flexible. Eventually, any instructor who desires will have password access.
A Java programmer is also needed. This is to implement
a fully flexible WWW page whereby the instructor simply inputs
the subject and receives a list of related questions from which
to choose, with answers randomly ordered. Images and diagrams
will also be included to widen the breadth of question type.
Statistical results for questions may also be included,
to facilitate tailoring to different class levels.
The development of the most effective questions is best assured
through classroom testing. Please let me know if you are interested
in contributing
to, using, or testing the
library of ConcepTests .