SkyView is an Augmented Reality (AR) app for iOS and Android that enables the user to point the device at the sky and find stars, planets, constellations and satellites, even though the user might not be able to actually see the stars due to weather or ambient light conditions.
The SkyView app is a useful educational tool for helping teach students astronomy. The augmented reality (AR) feature enables the user to "see" the stars, planets, constellations and satellites regardless of weather, ambient light, and even below the skyline is especially useful to teachers when you only have that one approved after school hours field based learning experience to go stargazing as part of your astronomy unit. Since you can even "see" stars and constellations below the horizon, you can "show" your students stars, planets, and constellations during the day that you would normally only be able to see at night, well after school hours. The app also shows the track of the object across the sky.
As part of the AR feature, not only is the user able to identify objects in the sky, but by selecting the information icon when viewing an object, the app will bring up another screen with additional information on it about the object. These are not complete lessons about the object, but they can provide enough additional information to pique a student's interest to ask even more questions about the object.
The SkyView app is a useful tool to support lessons in astronomy, and could be the focus of a single lesson, or perhaps two, but it is not designed to be robust enough to support an entire astronomy unit as the primary learning tool.
The SkyView app would work best when each student has his or her own device with the app installed. A pair of students could share a device like a phone, while a group of three students might be able to share a tablet, as the screen is larger and easier to see.
After introducing the stars, planets, and constellations you expect the students to learn, it's time for the SkyView app. If you are able to arrange to have an after dark field trip, you can direct the students to point their devices toward specific objects as you describe it and provide additional information about it. They can also select the information icon to get more information about the object. I would advise allowing the students time to "explore" the sky either before or after your direct instruction over a limited number of objects. Because of the AR feature, a cloudy sky will not ruin your stargazing party.
If you need to use the app during the day and want to teach the students about objects and constellations only visible during the night, locate where below the skyline the objects and constellations on which you want to focus are before class so you can direct the students to point their devices in those directions. Remember that the earth is rotating, so those positions will change throughout the day. Remind the students that though it appears they are looking at the ground (or floor), that the AR allows them to "see through" the Earth to the sky above the other side of the planet. Of course, you can also direct their attention to those stars, planets, and constellations overhead during the day that we normally never see as well.
Being able to more easily see stars, planets, and constellations in the sky in relationship to each other is helpful in understanding astronomy and how man views the skies above. This ability to locate and "see" the stars more easily, especially since they are accompanied by additional information, makes SkyView a useful learning tool.
Some helpful videos to get you started implementing SkyView in your lessons.
Some helpful links to get you started implementing SkyView in your lessons.
Created By: C. Cox