Development of a VR-based Astronomy Learning Environment using Intuitive Manipulation and Switching of the View corresponding to User's Body Movement(<Special Issue>Development of Learning and Educational Technologies)

Abstract

A VR-based astronomy learning support system which allowed a student to interact with the learning environment through bodily motions was developed. Proposed system consists of two learning environments. In one environment, the student looks around the stars in the virtual sky by moving a viewpoint. In another environment, the student overlooks the solar system and simulates the orbital motion of the earth by manipulating an interface device. By switching these environments and changing the observational day, the student can observe the sphere freely. Results of evaluation on manipulability showed the proposed system to be based mainly on the manipulation by bodily motions allowed to intuitively manipulate than a system to be based mainly on the mouse device.