Experimental approach and analysis of the effectiveness of using virtual reality (VR) technology in teaching astronomy to students of pedagogical specialties

The article discusses the use of virtual reality (VR) technology in teaching astronomy to students of pedagogical specialties. An experiment was conducted among three study groups of the pedagogical university TSPU, one of which used VR in the educational process. The study involved 15 students in the first group, 23 students in the second group, and 18 students in the third group. The results of the experiment showed that the use of VR contributes to a significant improvement in student performance: the average score of the group using VR increased by 27% compared to traditional teaching methods. There is also an increase in interest in the subject: 90% of students who studied using VR noted that the classes were more exciting and interactive. The paper also analyzes the benefits of VR in visualizing complex astronomical phenomena, such as planetary motion, solar eclipses, and other cosmic processes that cannot be demonstrated in a regular classroom. These visualizations contribute to a deep understanding of the material and allow students to develop critical thinking and analysis skills. In addition, the article emphasizes the importance of preparing future teachers to integrate modern technologies into the educational process. The use of VR not only enriches the students' experience, but also creates an interactive learning environment, which in turn increases motivation and engagement. This experience can become the basis for further research and development of curricula that integrate VR into the educational process.