Using Interactive Technologies to Study the Evolution of Stars in Astronomy Classes

TARGET GROUP: STUDENTS

OBJECTIVES

·        To implement interactive programmes for effective astronomy teaching, understanding material and increasing cognitive interest using Universe Sandbox2 during the study of the topic “Evolution of stars”.

 SUMMARY

Modern educational technologies are aimed at teaching students to work independently, as this quality gives opportunity for them to adapt successfully in the conditions of a rapidly changing society. The ability to learn will allow them to improve experience and knowledge, to analyze and to use the achievements of science and technics in the professional activity. The number of hours to study astronomy is clearly not enough for its quality of teaching and for students to master it at a sufficient level, which also indicates the need to devote the most part of the material for independent study. However, most teachers consider students’ independent work only as homework, textbook reproductive study, writing synopses, problem solving and preparing projects. Learning a new material independently is difficult for schoolchildren. Normally they do not do a boring work or they do it mechanically. In the context of the modern new Ukrainian school it is necessary to increase the role of independent work for obtaining sufficient astronomical knowledge but at the same time it is necessary to change the approach to the individual work. It should not be exclusively reproductive homework, it should include interesting tasks for students which they will perform both during and after the classes or at home. Modern technologies are developing enough fast and their use will help to enhance the study of astronomy.

REFERENCE

http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2547/paper11.pdf