Observation of the planets and new technologies

Namen magistrskega dela je raziskati poznavanje in uporabo računalniških programov ter mobilnih aplikacij pri obravnavi astronomskih učnih vsebin. V preteklosti so nebo opazovali s prostim očesom, ali s pomočjo daljnogleda in teleskopa. Danes lahko opazujemo nebo tudi s pomočjo novih tehnologij. V teoretičnem delu magistrske predstavimo, kako so odkrivali in opazovali naše planete ter opazovali nebo in njegove objekte nekoč in kako to počnemo danes. Predvsem se osredotočimo na nove tehnologije, računalniške programe in mobilne aplikacije, s katerimi lahko danes še natančneje opazujemo nebo. V empiričnem delu naloge izvedemo empirično raziskavo na osnovnih šolah s pomočjo anketnega vprašalnika za učence in učitelje. Raziščemo, ali otroci opazujejo nočno nebo in s katerimi pripomočki si pri tem pomagajo. Preučimo tudi, kdo jim pri opazovanju pomaga in ali poznajo za to primerne računalniške programe ter mobilne aplikacije. Rezultati so pokazali, da učenci v večini primerov nebo ponoči opazujejo s prostim očesom. Malo je takšnih, ki za opazovanje uporabijo daljnogled in teleskop. Ugotovili smo tudi, da je malo učencev, ki za opazovanje nočnega neba uporabljajo računalniške programe in mobilne aplikacije. Rezultati so presenetljivi, saj smo predvidevali, da bodo učenci bolj seznanjeni z novejšo tehnologijo, ki se pojavlja na trgu. Pri učiteljih smo proučili, ali pri obravnavi učnih snovi uporabljajo sodobnejše tehnologije ter kaj od tega poznajo. Ugotovili smo, da tudi učitelji v veliki večini ne poznajo konkretnih računalniških programov in mobilnih aplikacij, ki bi jih lahko uporabljali pri pouku. Zato smo v zaključnem delu predlagali uvedbo seminarjev za učitelje. Z anketo smo ugotovili, da bi se velika večina učiteljev želela udeležiti tovrstnih seminarjev.The purpose of this master thesis is to research knowledge and use of the computer programs and mobile applications in the discussion of astronomical learning content. In the past, the sky was observed with unaided eyes or through binoculars and telescope. Nowadays, the sky can be observed by the help of new technologies. In the theoretical part of this master thesis is shown, how our planets were discovered and observed and also how the sky and its objects were observed in the past in comparison to today. We are mainly focusing on new technologies, computer programs and mobile applications, which help us to observe the sky more accurately. In the empirical part of the thesis an empirical research was made in elementary schools, where a survey was carried out on students and teachers. We researched whether the children observe the night sky and which instruments they use for it. We also considered who helps them with observation and whether they know any suitable computer programs and mobile applications. The results have shown that the students mostly observe the night sky with a naked eye. A few of them use binoculars or telescope for observation. We have also found that only a few students use computer programs and mobile applications to observe the night sky. The results are surprising, because we expected that the students are more familiar with the latest technology, which appears on the market. We researched, whether the teachers use the latest technology when dealing with learning material and which of those they are familiar with. We also found that the teachers mainly do not know the specific computer programs and mobile applications that could be used in the classroom. Therefore, in the final part of the thesis, we suggested to introduce appropriate seminars for teachers. The questionnaire showed that the majority of teachers would like to attend such seminars