Zusammenfassung
We report on the initial phase of an ongoing, multi-stage investigation of
how to incorporate Virtual Reality (VR) technology in teaching introductory
astronomy concepts. Our goal was to compare the efficacy of VR vs. conventional
teaching methods using one specific topic, Moon phases and eclipses. After
teaching this topic to an ASTRO 101 lecture class, students were placed into
three groups to experience one of three additional activities: supplemental
lecture, "hands-on" activity, or VR experience. All students were tested before
and after their learning activity. Although preliminary, our results can serve
as a useful guide to expanding the role of VR in the astronomy classroom.
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