Students will be watching presentations, completing reading assignments, and joining in a discussion during the class. In addition, students will be asked to provide written responses to four prompts directly related to the module materials.
Instructions
There are four Short Response assignments for the course. Each Short Response assignment has its own prompt and addresses a different topic related to the class. For each of the four Short Response assignments:
• The student must follow the specific guidance of the prompt.
• The student’s response must be between 200 and 300 words in total length.
• The student must use proper grammar, spelling and syntax, but there is no specific “style” requirement (MLA, APA, etc.).
• The student is only allowed one attempt. Edit and proof-read work carefully prior to submission.
• The student must submit the short response as a Word document.
Response Prompt
In the Discussion: Naked Eye Observations you were instructed to go outside with naked-eye resources to help you become more familiar with the night sky. For this assignment, you will expand your options for making observations. Please discuss other resources, methods or organizations that are available to you that you might be able to put into use now or in the coming weeks. Do not use any of the resources or affiliated websites listed in the Discussion: Naked Eye Observations to write your response.
Here are your options:
• A local observatory—for example, if you live in the Lynchburg area you could discuss the campus observatory at the equestrian center.
• A nearby planetarium—perhaps you live close to a university, museum, etc. that has a planetarium and runs programs for the public.
• A local astronomy club—your town or county may have an “astronomical society” that invites the public to get involved at “star parties” or similar events.
• A phone app—download an astronomy app. There are many to choose from, and some of them are free. Even those with a cost tend to be very inexpensive.
• A “new” online astronomy resource—discuss a good online resource that was not one of the resources or affiliated websites listed in the Discussion: NakedEye Observations.
• A home telescope—if you own a telescope and you know how to use it, share your experiences.
Write your response as two paragraphs (200-300 words total).
In paragraph 1, discuss the new resource you have selected. For example–What is it? Where did you find it? How does it “work?” How will it help you with navigating the night sky?
In paragraph 2, discuss either (1) how you plan to make use of the new resource in the near future or (2) how you were actually able to use the new resource this week!
