The role of virtual platforms in modern astronomy education: analysis of innovative approaches

Abstract

The purpose of the article was to study the role of virtual platforms in modern astronomy teaching by identifying and using innovative approaches as well as conducting an empirical study on this topic. To achieve this goal, the scientific methods of descriptive statistics and comparative analysis were used. Subsequently, qualitative interviews were transcribed, and the thematic analysis was used in order to identify recurring themes and patterns in the data. At the same time, a content analysis of the professional literature (41 items) on the integration of virtual platforms into the educational process (including the use of its achievements for teaching astronomy) was carried out. The results showed that the use of virtual platforms in the process of teaching astronomy is one of the promising innovative technological trends that requires further study. The study found that almost all the surveyed specialists used digital tools in their teaching and learning process at least once a week, which is in line with international standards. The interest in the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, indicates the relevance of global trends in education in Ukraine, especially in the context of astronomy. In this regard, it is important considering the issues of corporate ethics, the introduction of new approaches to the organisation of the educational process, structural and managerial changes, and pedagogical strategies aimed at adapting to new realities. The scientific novelty of the paper is the use of empirical data to determine the role of virtual platforms in teaching astronomy in Ukraine. The conclusions indicated that these innovative approaches contribute to the improvement of the level of astronomy understanding and to the increase of students' interest in learning about the universe. They allow creating more dynamic and interactive lessons for the learning process.