How Amateur Astronomers Learn: High Self-Directed Life Long Learners" By Terrence R. Redding, Ph.D. Love of Learning Amateur Astronomers Amateur Scientist Life Long Learner

Alvin Toffler - Futurist 1970 – Future Shock 1970 – Future Shock Crippling business and nations Crippling business and nations 1980 – Third Wave 1980 – Third Wave Consume huge, diverse data sets and build new paradigms of understanding Consume huge, diverse data sets and build new paradigms of understanding 1991 – Power Shift 1991 – Power Shift Violence, Wealth, and knowledge Violence, Wealth, and knowledge 1970 – Future Shock 1970 – Future Shock Crippling business and nations Crippling business and nations 1980 – Third Wave 1980 – Third Wave Consume huge, diverse data sets and build new paradigms of understanding Consume huge, diverse data sets and build new paradigms of understanding 1991 – Power Shift 1991 – Power Shift Violence, Wealth, and knowledge Violence, Wealth, and knowledge

Background Research 1992 – Spark Gap to Space 1992 – Spark Gap to Space 1993 – SAREX – 3,000 kids 1993 – SAREX – 3,000 kids 1993 – Longitudinal Study – 8 th grade 1993 – Longitudinal Study – 8 th grade Longitudinal Study – 11 th grade Longitudinal Study – 11 th grade Longitudinal Study – 5, 8, 11 grade Longitudinal Study – 5, 8, 11 grade 1997 – Dissertation – Historical Events and the development of high self-directed learning readiness 1997 – Dissertation – Historical Events and the development of high self-directed learning readiness 2009 How Amateur Astronomers Learn: Engaging High Self-Directed Learners in Astronomy 2009 How Amateur Astronomers Learn: Engaging High Self-Directed Learners in Astronomy 1992 – Spark Gap to Space 1992 – Spark Gap to Space 1993 – SAREX – 3,000 kids 1993 – SAREX – 3,000 kids 1993 – Longitudinal Study – 8 th grade 1993 – Longitudinal Study – 8 th grade Longitudinal Study – 11 th grade Longitudinal Study – 11 th grade Longitudinal Study – 5, 8, 11 grade Longitudinal Study – 5, 8, 11 grade 1997 – Dissertation – Historical Events and the development of high self-directed learning readiness 1997 – Dissertation – Historical Events and the development of high self-directed learning readiness 2009 How Amateur Astronomers Learn: Engaging High Self-Directed Learners in Astronomy 2009 How Amateur Astronomers Learn: Engaging High Self-Directed Learners in Astronomy

The Knowledge Explosion

Normal Curve

Histogram and Normal Curve Amateur Radio Operators

So What? Knowledge explosion Knowledge explosion Extinction level events Extinction level events Contribution of amateur astronomers Contribution of amateur astronomers Contribution of high self-directed learners Contribution of high self-directed learners Who will discover and learn how mankind can avoid extinction? Who will discover and learn how mankind can avoid extinction? Knowledge explosion Knowledge explosion Extinction level events Extinction level events Contribution of amateur astronomers Contribution of amateur astronomers Contribution of high self-directed learners Contribution of high self-directed learners Who will discover and learn how mankind can avoid extinction? Who will discover and learn how mankind can avoid extinction?

Why study astronomers They are members of the oldest science They are members of the oldest science As a group they demonstrate high persistent learning across a lifetime As a group they demonstrate high persistent learning across a lifetime As amateurs, they love learning, are not paid for their learning efforts As amateurs, they love learning, are not paid for their learning efforts As a group they are recognized for their ability to contribute new knowledge, skills, and discoveries in their field of study As a group they are recognized for their ability to contribute new knowledge, skills, and discoveries in their field of study They are members of the oldest science They are members of the oldest science As a group they demonstrate high persistent learning across a lifetime As a group they demonstrate high persistent learning across a lifetime As amateurs, they love learning, are not paid for their learning efforts As amateurs, they love learning, are not paid for their learning efforts As a group they are recognized for their ability to contribute new knowledge, skills, and discoveries in their field of study As a group they are recognized for their ability to contribute new knowledge, skills, and discoveries in their field of study

Extinction Level Events from the BBC 2008 EventProbabilityFrequency Nuclear warHigherNever Worldwide pestilence Higher1346 and 1918 Global WarmingHigherNever Ice AgeMediumCyclic, 12,000 yrs Super volcanoesMediumCyclic, 24 world wide, 70k to 770k yrs Magnetic Pole Reversal MediumPast due by 200k yrs Bolide ImpactLowMillions of yrs

Amateur Astronomers are Operationally Defined as High Self-Directed Learners Take responsibility for their learning Take responsibility for their learning Plan and execute learning activities Plan and execute learning activities Self-allocate resources Self-allocate resources Evaluate educational outcomes Evaluate educational outcomes Extend their own learning plans Extend their own learning plans Have a sense of service – to a greater good. Have a sense of service – to a greater good. Love learning Love learning Take responsibility for their learning Take responsibility for their learning Plan and execute learning activities Plan and execute learning activities Self-allocate resources Self-allocate resources Evaluate educational outcomes Evaluate educational outcomes Extend their own learning plans Extend their own learning plans Have a sense of service – to a greater good. Have a sense of service – to a greater good. Love learning Love learning

Amateur Astronomers Learn For the love of learning For the love of learning To structure their day, and their lives To structure their day, and their lives Within the framework of an organizing circumstance Within the framework of an organizing circumstance Questions Questions Puzzles Puzzles problems problems For the love of learning For the love of learning To structure their day, and their lives To structure their day, and their lives Within the framework of an organizing circumstance Within the framework of an organizing circumstance Questions Questions Puzzles Puzzles problems problems

SDLRS Scores

Ethnic Group

Male/Female

Highest Degree Held

Study Pref – Kind of Learner

Other Family Astronomers?

Where did you receive encouragement to become an astronomer?

How supportive is your family?

Where do you engage in your hobby most often?

Sir William Gilbert * Born 1544 prominent family * Royal Physician England * Gentleman Scientist * 18 years studying magnetism * First advance in 2,000 years * Stood without addition for 200 yrs Published his findings near the end of his personal research Scientific method First modern textbook Highly self-directed learner

Galileo Galilie * Born 1564 Italy * Father a musician home schooled * Defrocked priest * Failed to graduate * Prof Mathematics age 26 * Appointed Padau – independent Struggled for money - military Saw telescope as way to gain financial success Discoveries tempered by the Church Scientific method Highly self-directed

Summary 3 rd Wave 3 rd Wave Race to extinction Race to extinction Who are the scientists Who are the scientists Why do we need them Why do we need them First Moment of Lasting Excitement First Moment of Lasting Excitement Scientists are HSDL Scientists are HSDL Motivation to learn Motivation to learn Contribution to knowledge Contribution to knowledge 3 rd Wave 3 rd Wave Race to extinction Race to extinction Who are the scientists Who are the scientists Why do we need them Why do we need them First Moment of Lasting Excitement First Moment of Lasting Excitement Scientists are HSDL Scientists are HSDL Motivation to learn Motivation to learn Contribution to knowledge Contribution to knowledge Why study hobbyists Insight to HSDL Fast space of science Everything you have just learned is out dated

Questions? Terry Redding Terry Redding Terry Redding Terry Redding