Introductory astronomy: setting goals and measuring achievements

Abstract

Astronomy has been very successful, growing to over 200 students in 2000 and 2001. Their response to the unit has been excellent and at least one quarter of them have suggested that they would consider doing a second astronomy unit if it were offered. Popularity and enrolment numbers are one measure of success but, with its diverse background of the students, is Astronomy achieving its goals? To address this question we have studied the student population enrolled in the unit and used a variety of survey tools to probe student attitudes and understanding, including a southern hemisphere version of the Astronomy Diagnostic Test (ADT).