The Effect of Augmented Reality Applications on the Attitudes of Middle School Students towards Astronomy

Abstract

In this study, the effect of augmented reality applications on students ' attitudes towards astronomy was investigated. In this study, seventh grade students studying in two different classes in a public school were used. One of the classes was determined as a control group and the other class was determined as an experimental group. Astronomy Attitude Scale was used as data collection tools. For 4 weeks, the Solar System and Beyond Unit were processed in the control group in accordance with the curriculum, while the experimental group was supported with augmented reality applications. The Astronomy Attitude Scale was applied as a pre-test to both groups before the application started. After the application, the same test was applied as a post-test to both groups. The obtained data were analyzed with SPSS 22 statistical package program and t-test was used in the evaluation of the obtained data. According to the results of the post-test scores of Astronomy Attitude Scale, a statistically significant relationship was found in favor of the experimental group. Accordingly, it has been shown that augmented reality applications improve the attitudes of middle school students towards astronomy.

Keywords

• Agumented reality,Astronomy education,Attitude,Solar system unit

References

1. Arslan, A., & Elibol, M. (2015). Analysis of educational augmented reality applications: The case of Android operating system Eğitsel artırılmış gerçeklik uygulamalarının incelenmesi: Android işletim sistemi örneği. Journal of Human Sciences, 12(2), 1792-1817.Erduran, A., & Tataroglu, B. (2009). Comparison of science and mathematics teachers’ views regarding use of smart board in education. In 9th international educational technology conference (IETC2009), Ankara, Turkey. Bilici, S. C., Armagan, F. O., Çakir, N. K., & Yürük, N. (2012). Adaptation of astronomy attitude scale into Turkish: The validity and reliability analysis [Astronomi tutum ölçeginin türkçe'ye uyarlanmasi: Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalişmasi]. Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2011). Deneysel desenler: öntest-sontest kontrol grubu, desen ve veri analizi. Pegem Akademi. Kirikkaya, E. B., & Şentürk, M. (2018). The Impact of Using Augmented Reality Technology in The Solar System and Beyond Unit on The Academic Achievement of The Students. Kastamonu Education Journal, 26(1), 181-189.Kaya, Z. (2002). Uzaktan Eğitim. Ankara: Pegem Yayıncılık. Zeilik, M., Schau, C., & Mattern N., (1999). Conceptual astronomy. II. Replicating conceptual gains, probing attitude changes across three semesters. American Journal of Physics, 67(10), 923-927.